For the second time in two weeks, Cosmin Olaroiu will be up against a familiar foe and has the odd task of avenging a defeat he himself inflicted.
The Romanian goes up against his former team Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League today at the Rashid Stadium looking to put Al Ahli in prime position to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in the club’s history.
The Qatari side and the UAE league leaders have faced each other before in the competition, with Al Sadd inflicting a 5-0 humbling four years ago when Olaroiu was in charge of the Doha club.
Olaroiu also went up against a former club last week in his team’s 2-2 draw with Saudi side Al Hilal.
The Romanian admitted that his fondness for his old charges means a win would be slightly tainted.
“Unfortunately for me, it is the same situation,” said the Romanian. “Again I am against my ex-team. It’s a pleasure to see them and meet them again. It won’t be nice playing against them.
“They have power, they have a very high technical standard. It will be very difficult for us and them too.”
Olaroiu admitted that the AFC Champions League isn’t his main priority going into the game, with the Arabia Gulf League (AGL) taking precedence over everything else and the team that runs out at the Rashid Stadium will be a weakened one.
“The result is important, but we are involved in a lot of competitions which is difficult and we have some good results. But the Champions League isn’t our main priority.
“The first competition for us is the league, whatever we do. We have to change some players because it will be hard to play every game at full strength. We don’t have a huge number of players, but the players are very good and do their job.”
Al Sadd come into the game in good form having won on match day one 3-1 against Iranian side Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan.
Their coach Hussein Amotta admitted his side would be happy to leave Dubai with just a point but will play aggressively nonetheless
