Al Shabab coach Marcos Paqueta has warned his team that today’s opponents Bani Yas’ league position betrays their true quality.
Despite a crowded field at the top of the table, Al Shabab have managed to stake their claim in second place behind Al Ahli, overcoming significant discrepancies in budget.
But while the Eagles have flown towards the summit, Bani Yas have founded themselves rooted in mid-table, sat in eighth place despite a strong start to the season.
A full nine points behind Al Shabab, the Abu Dhabi side haven’t won a league game in a month, drawing two and losing two in their last four matches. Paqueta however isn’t buying their league position and thinks his side face a stern test when they travel to the capital today.
"It’s an important game for us because we need to maintain our position, and keep a good distance ahead of the teams following us, especially with the form of the likes of Al Jazira and Sharjah,” said the Brazilian.
“We will face Bani Yas who, in reality, are in a wrong position. They are a strong team and are very dangerous, they have pace going forward as well as strong attackers.
“They will be at home too, that makes things a little more difficult for us.” Paqueta expects to put out a full strength side apart from Uzbek international midfielder Azizbek Haydarov, who has a minor injury.
With the clubs around Al Shabab spending freely in the summer, few would have guessed that the Dubai club would be three points clear in second place come the New Year. The positioning is a testament to the club’s dedication to continuity and internal improvement having lost star players Ciel and Walid Abbas in the close season.
Even Paqueta didn’t foresee such a start. “It was a good first half of the season for us,” said the Brazilian. “We achieved more than we could have expected and ahead of almost of all of the teams and we are definitely one of the best teams in the UAE. We will carry on trying our best to keep it up and we are ready to fight for even more in the New Year.”
Elsewhere today, Emirates Club and Ajman go head to head in a relegation clash with both sides desperate to pick up three points and start the new year on a high.
