Al Ain have not given up hope on securing an unlikely Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final spot, according to boss Zlatko Dalic.
The Arabian Gulf League champions head into their final Group B fixture today at home to Dibba Al Fujairah on six points. That is enough to see them sit third, with only the top two making the semi-finals.
The Boss will require favours from Al Wahda and Sharjah to proceed, events the Croatian would not totally dismiss.
– AGC: Al Ahli held by Al Wasl in despite impressive showing
– Friendly: Late goals help Spain past England
– SHARE, RATE, WIN with ValoraFutbol
He said: “We are well aware that three points will enhance our chances to qualify, although the chances in reaching the semi-finals have become slim because our position is not in our hands.
“Therefore, we should win and then wait for the results of our competitors to qualify from the group.
“Our chance is weak, but on paper our chances still remain in the competition to qualify.”
Al Ain welcomed back bad-boy winger Ryan Babel to senior training on Saturday after he was banished to the Under-21s last week after an obscene social media post. But a heavily-depleted squad will be without eight UAE players and suspended Brazilian centre midfielder Fellipe Bastos.
Meanwhile, coach Luis Garcia is convinced pride in wearing Bani Yas’ jersey will see his side scrap for a first win against Emirates Club.The Sky Blues have yet to earn a point from three Group A matches, giving them a miniscule chance of qualification.
“We were totally unlucky in this cup competition until now,” the Spaniard said.
“Simply, we should have four points minimum out of the three rounds.
“We really feel proud of stepping forward and building our own football identity under the name of Bani Yas.
“We have to show our ambitions and passion to reach our main goal away from the final result.”
Tickets for @alainfcae VS Dibba in #AGCup are on sale at the box office in Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium today from 12:00PM-6:00PM. #alainfc
— Al Ain FC – EN (@alainfcae_en) November 16, 2015
Holders Al Nasr are also staring at an early elimination from Group A, sitting a distant fourth after last week’s 2-1 loss at Emirates.
“It is the last game of the Arabian Gulf Cup for us and it is not a very important game,” said boss Ivan Jovanovic ahead of tonight’s match against Al Shaab, which will be held at Dubai Sports & Cultural Club Stadium because of renovation work at Al Maktoum Stadium.
“But we will try to have the best performance as possible and play the best team, because in a week the Arabian Gulf League restarts.”
