Al Ain targeting instant payback against rivals Al Ahli in Arabian Gulf League clash

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  • Al Ain are after revenge following defeat in the Super Cup.

    The pain of last week’s Arabian Gulf Super Cup defeat to Al Ahli will spur leaders Al Ain to gain instant revenge, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.

    The bitter rivals meet in the Arabian Gulf League tonight, less than a week since the Red Knights secured a tight 1-0 victory in the much-delayed showpiece courtesy of defender Salmeen Khamis’ late header.

    That contest was one of very few chances but many talking points, a fiery ending seeing the UAE Football Association subsequently hand out a plethora of disciplinary measures.

    At the forefront of the governing body’s crackdown was Boss midfielder Mohamed Abdulrahman, who has begun a three-match suspension for barging into referee Yaqoub Qaseem Al Hammadi, while Ahli boss Cosmin Olaroiu was fined Dh30,000 after his dismissal for clashing with opposite number Dalic.

    Al Ain struggled in the heated atmosphere, the lack of full-match fitness for key men Asamoah Gyan and Omar Abdulrahman pivotal.

    The Boss will need to channel their frustration at Hazza bin Zayed to safeguard their four-point top-flight lead over second-placed Al Jazira, who host doomed Ittihad Kalba the following day.

    “Unfortunately, we lost the Super Cup,” Dalic said. “But we have forgotten that game and entered the atmosphere of a new competition and challenge – our goal is to win the title.

    “We didn’t play badly against Al Ahli in the Super Cup but luck didn’t go our way. Now, I believe this will enhance my team’s desire and motivation to beat them on Thursday because we are well aware that we did not deserve to lose the last game.

    “The next match will be very different, of course. The Super Cup is just one game of 90 minutes which leads you to a trophy, whereas the league is a long competition extended across an entire season.

    “In short, my confidence in my team has no limits. The players are up to the challenge and responsibility of defending the club’s logo in all their games at both local and continental levels.”

    Ahli dug in at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium last Friday, Khamis striking a crucial blow on 86 minutes when Omar Abdulrahman was robbed off the ball deep in his own half. This approach was not surprising.

    Al Ain head the AGL and their AFC Champions League group, while Ahli are down in sixth domestically and bottom continentally. Dalic expects the Red Knights to be cagey opponents once again tonight.

    He said: “I think that Ahli will utilise the same style they used in the Super Cup, by relying on a deep defence and waiting for a mistake.

    “But, we’re playing in our stadium and in front of our fans. We will have to adopt a high-pressure method and risk an early goal. “Our main objective is to win the respect of Ahli, and show that Al Ain are better.”

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