Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu will use the final three Pro League games of the season to test his squad’s fringe players.
Olaroiu is missing six first-team players for the visit of Bani Yas on Sunday night, with Ali Al Wehaibi and Helal Saeed joining Khaled Abdulrahman on the treatment table, while the left-back’s brother Omar, Mohammed Ahmed and Alex Brosque are all suspended.
UAE star Omar could have played his last game for Al Ain having been handed a two-game ban, which is expected to rise to four due to his dissent, following his sending off against Al Ahli in last Sunday’s ill tempered President’s Cup semi.
It has emerged the 21-year-old, who was also fined Dh4,000 by the UAE FA Disciplinary Committee on Thursday, accused referee Ammer Ali Abdulla Al Junaibi of favouring Ahli while suggesting he should put on a Red Knights jersey.
Al Ain have little to play for having crashed out of the AFC Champions League and President’s Cup since sealing an 11th league title, and Olaroiu will therefore take the opportunity to experiment.
“During our AFC Champions League matches we discovered real limits to the depth of the squad,” Olaroiu said. “So that we can emerge strongly in all the confrontations at all levels, we need to work more in order to develop our level, and ensure that those who play the remaining games show character.
“It will be clear who does well and who will not continue with us next season, because some players confirmed their merits with the team domestically but their potential was limited in the continental tournament.”
Bani Yas travel to Al Ain on a high having secured their passage to the final of the GCC Champions League with Mohamed Abou-Treika’s stunning last-minute winner against Najran last Wednesday.
With Al Ahli slipping to a surprise defeat at Dibba Al Fujairah 24 hours later, Al Samawi could close the gap on the Red Knights in the chase for second place to just two points with a win.
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