Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf urges fans to stick with team after Al Ain are crowned AGL champions

Matt Jones - Editor 21:13 22/04/2018
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  • Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf.

    Laurentiu Reghecampf has urged Al Wahda fans to stick by the team after their Arabian Gulf League title dreams were extinguished on Saturday.

    The Clarets were downed 3-2 by promoted Ajman in Abu Dhabi, which ended their aspirations of a maiden league triumph since 2010 – although Al Ain’s 4-0 thrashing of Al Nasr meant they would have been crowned champions whatever the result at Zayed Sports City Stadium.

    They were fighting a losing battle heading into the penultimate round of fixtures, but the end of the road for their title dreams would still have hurt the Romanian and his players, who have put up such a stern title challenge this season.

    The Clarets possess the second-best scoring and defensive records in the AGL and have won the second most games (13). Unsurprisingly, however, they trail the champions in all those categories, so it stands to reason that they deserve to finish as runners-up behind the imperious Boss.

    Reghecampf said in defeat to the Orange Brigade: “We lost focus to Ajman, I warned against wasting chances. This happened in the game.”

    One bright point for the visitors to the capital was victory assured Ayman Al Ramadi’s team’s survival in their first season back in the top-flight following promotion last term.

    Wahda will now turn their attention to the President’s Cup, with Reghecampf’s side taking on Al Wasl in the semi-finals at Al Ain’s Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

    “Our focus is on the President’s Cup and I wish everyone to stand by the team during this period,” added Reghecampf.

    The Pro League Committee, meanwhile, has announced the dates for the final round of AGL fixtures, which will take place next Saturday and Sunday.

    Relegated Hatta host Ajman on Saturday, while the second game of the day pits Sharjah against Dibba Al Fujairah, who know they will finish in the bottom four and face a relegation play-off with the third or fourth-placed team in First Division League no matter what the result.

    Four games take place on Sunday, with all four kicking-off at 19:20. Second-bottom Emirates Club must beat Al Nasr if they are to avoid automatic relegation, while third-bottom Al Dhafra will be looking over their shoulders as they travel to the champions – with a point or win likely seeing them avoid go down automatically.

    Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club host Wasl and the Abu Dhabi derby sees Wahda host Al Jazira.

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