AFC Champions League: Al Ahli vs Al Ain

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  • Al Hammadi (l) and Kembo Ekoko (r) will be threats for their sides.

    Buoyant Al Ain have no reason to fear any team in Asia ahead of tonight’s titanic AFC Champions League round-of-16 clash against bitter rivals Al Ahli, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.

    The Boss have turned the table on their impending opponents this term, inheriting the Arabian Gulf League crown and re-establishing themselves as the pre-eminent force in Emirati football.

    The deposed treble holders finished a distant six places back, though a slither of respect was earned with victory against the AGL champions in March’s long-delayed Arabian Gulf Super Cup.

    Not just Emirati pride will be on line at Rashid Stadium for the first leg. The hosts’ largely-miserable domestic campaign has been boosted by a first knockout stage appearance in Asia’s premier competition, while Al Ain are looking to better last year’s run to the semi-finals.

    With that performance in mind, Dalic said: “Every time we have a tough game against Ahli. But the most important for us is our style on the game. There can be no big surprise between us. Details will be important for the game.

    “I trust my team. We don’t have any reason to be scared about anybody. There is a big chance for both teams. I am expecting a tough game.

    “I know it will be a difficult game for us. We know everything about their team and Ahli know every thing about us. We have just one objective, that is to become one of the top eight teams in Asia.”

    Since Dalic’s arrival in March 2014, his side defeated Ahli in last year’s President’s Cup final and earned 22 more points in the 2014/15 AGL.

    But this term’s acrimonious Super Cup saw opposite number Cosmin Olaroiu claim another scalp against the side he led to successive top-flight crowns from 2011-13. The Red Knights also salvaged significant joy in the ACL, Ahmed Khalil’s match-winning brace against Tractor Sazi in their last Group D tie securing a historic achievement with second place.

    “At the beginning of the season, we proposed to pass the group,” Olaroiu said. “Now, we are here. This is a good and bad thing. Bad thing is we play Al Ain, one of the best teams and favourites to win the competition. The good thing is that an Emirates team will pass to the next round.

    “I am very proud that I worked at these two teams and these two teams arrived to the finals of the President’s Cup, Super Cup and now ACL. This means our work wasn’t for nothing.

    “We have to think about 180 minutes. I was talking to the players and telling them that at this level we have to think about both games and have a strategy for both – not for the first one.”

    Al Ain have recent experience of two-legged Asian dates against local opposition, seeing off Al Jazira at the same stage last year. Star striker Asamoah Gyan was firing then, his three-goal haul helping him to become top scorer with 12.

    This year, a lingering quadraceps problem saw him score only three times as the Boss secured top spot in Group B. But the Ghana captain was back to his best in last Thursday’s President’s Cup round-of-16 demolition of Dibba Al Fujairah as he scored four goals against the UAE Division 1 Group A winners.

    Gyan said: “It has sometimes been a big headache for Zlatko [injuries to Al Ain’s major players], but he has done what he has done to his best. “We are the best in the league now. I will not talk too much, but I have scored since I came back.

    “It is good for a player to come back, mentally. My confidence level is very high right now – I hope it continues.”

    Al Ahli player to watch: Ismail Al Hammadi – Has often been the only source of enjoyment for the Red Knights, overshadowing foreign winger Oussama Assaidi. Battle with left-back Mohammed Fayez will be intruiging. Will need to supply lots of chances to goal-shy striker Ahmed Khalil.

    Al Ain player to watch: Jires Kembo Ekoko – This season has been a triumphant return to the Al Ain fold for Kembo Ekoko. After being brought in from the cold, has stepped up superbly during a campaign in which Gyan has been regularly injured. His speed and goal threat should peg back Al Ahli’s full-backs.

    Al Ahli likely-line-up

    Al Ain likely line-up

     

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