Olaroiu urges Ahli players to seize the day in ACL final

A goalless first leg in Dubai a fortnight ago has ensured everything is still to play for when the teams emerge into what will be a fevered sold out 58,500-capacity Tianhe Stadium in China’s sprawling third-largest city.

“This is a unique moment in life,” Olaroiu told a packed press conference on Friday. “Nobody knows if you are going to have another chance to play in the final of such a big competition.

“This is why we have all the motivation in the world to do our best. We don’t want to live with regrets all our life that we did not do our best. I am sure everybody here tomorrow will give their best.”

Ahli head into the continental finale boosted by their rampant domestic form, winning all five Arabian Gulf League matches to exorcise the painful memory of last term’s wretched title defence.

But this confidence did not show during a timid first leg at Rashid Stadium, where few chances were created and little attacking endeavour exhibited by either side.

Ahli have been transformed this term in Asian competition, progressing from the group stage at the sixth attempt and remaining undefeated on the road during the knockout stages.

They have also managed to score in their last five away games in the ACL and Olaroiu emphasised the importance of extending this run as away strikes count double.

He said: “After the first game with the 0-0 draw, we have to think the final is only one game and that game is tomorrow. To win the trophy, we have to score. We know this.

“We know exactly what we have to do. We hope to reach tomorrow and we are in better shape that the first game to get exactly what we need. They [the Ahli players] are experienced and have the quality to pass this obstacle.”

#AlAhliUAE boss Olaroiu with the #ACL2015 trophy for company. Could be his for keeps tomorrow in Guangzhou @Sport360 pic.twitter.com/Hizke65MF4

— Matt Monaghan (@mattmonaghan360) November 20, 2015

The Red Knights have arrived in China with a clean bill of health, only full-back Abdulaziz Haikal suspended following his late dismissal at Rashid Stadium. This is not the case for their opponents, who face an anxious wait to discover whether eight-goal 2015 ACL top scorer Ricardo Goulart is fit to play after picking up an ankle injury.

“Goulart is a very good player, a top player,” said Olaroiu. “But seeing Guangzhou during this season, we know they have in any moment a player to replace another in the first XI. This is not about one player, this is about the team – spirit, courage, determination.”

Goulart’s former Cruzeiro team-mate Everton Ribeiro will be expected to inspire a fine attacking performance from the visitors.

The Brazil playmaker revealed the ambition of becoming Asian kings helped convince him to join the Red Knights in the summer.

He said: “When I started conversations about coming to the club I had meeting with the chairman and staff, with the biggest target for the club being to achieve this point.

“With all our team work, the dream has come true to reach the final. For tomorrow, we are going to do our best to reach this point that we have planned.”

Another sub-plot to the match is the race to be crowned 2015 Asian Footballer of the Year. Ahli’s Ahmed Khalil joined UAE team-mate Omar Abdulrahman on the three-man shortlist when it was announced on Wednesday after scoring six ACL goals this year.

China and Guangzhou captain Zheng Zhi is the rival to both players after the 35-year-old led his club to a fifth-successive Chinese Super League crown.

“We are very happy for Ahmed Khalil,” said Olaroiu. “He stayed a lot on the bench, suffering a lot. When he got his chance, he proved himself. He’s done a good job and deserves to be here. I hope tomorrow he plays in way to help him get the best player [award].”