Al Dhafra v Al Ahli preview: Red Knights motivated after Jazira win

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  • Stuttering campaign kicks alive: Al Ahli are hoping that their last league game triumph is the beginning of a winning streak.

    Al Ahli’s victory against Al Jazira has provided “motivation” to kick-start the club’s Arabian Gulf League title defence, according to star midfielder Habib Fardan.

    The Red Knights had endured a poor start to the season, drawing two and losing one of their opening five games, prior to Saturday’s enlivening 4-2 triumph against their fellow heavyweights.

    That result saw them move level with Jazira and Al Nasr on 11 points, closing to within striking distance of leaders Al Wahda who drew 2-2 with Al Wasl.

    Ahli now make the long trip today to face an Al Dhafra team who fell to their first defeat of the campaign last time out, against Al Ain.

    Cosmin Olaroiu’s treble winners stormed to the top-flight crown by 16 points in 2013/14 but have been unable to string consecutive victories together this term.

    UAE international Fardan – a big-money summer signing from Al Nasr – insisted now was the time for Ahli to string a run together, beginning at Madinat Zayed.

    He said: “It is a good time for us, with winning the game against Al Jazira. We needed to win this game for a long time, as maybe we didn’t start well in the league.

    “We got three points against a strong team. 

    “This comes from the great performance of the players and the coach.

    “I hope we start from this game. We didn’t start well but this game will give us motivation for the next match.”

    Fardan was much coveted in pre-season, Jazira and Ahli battling for months to secure his signature. 

    A four-year deal was finally agreed with the Red Knights at the end of August after the 23-year-old made it clear he would not renew his rapidly-expiring Nasr contract.

    Fardan has been utilised on the left wing in Ahli’s 4-2-3-1 formation since joining, taking the place of the seriously-injured Ciel. 

    This is a change to the free-roaming attacking midfield role undertaken at the Blue Wave.

    Nine goals were struck during a productive 2013/14 campaign, but he is yet to strike in six AGL appearances for Ahli.

    Fardan believed he was contributing more with every game at his new club and was aiming to keep this upward curve going at Dhafra.

    He said: “It is always a dream for a player to play for such a team like Al Ahli. I am very lucky and very happy to play with such players – I hope to help them.

    “I think I am adapting by the game. I hope that with the next match I become better – I want to help Al Ahli win more.”

    UAE defender Walid Abbas is expected to be fit enough to start against Dhafra. Winger Ismail Al Hammadi ended a fine performance against Jazira on the sidelines in pain, but should also feature.

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