Al Ahli are under no illusion about the fact they will have to defeat continental royalty to lift the AFC Champions League, according to boss Cosmin Olaroiu.
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The Red Knights on Tuesday became the first UAE team in a decade to reach the two-legged final when a 94th-minute Kwon Kyung-won strike secured a 4-3 aggregate triumph against Al Hilal.
They discovered the identity of their opponents for the ties on November 7 and 21 a day later when 2013 winners Guangzhou Evergrande edged past Gamba Osaka.
“Guangzhou in this moment are I think one of the first three teams, if not the first, in Asia,” said the Romanian.
“They are a strong team, with a lot of investment. They won the AFC Champions League in 2013, lost the semi-final last year and are now in the final.”
Ahli are unworried about Friday’s official protest from the Crescent to the AFC – Asia’s governing body – about the fielding of Oussama Assaidi.
The winger has not been registered for domestic football but was listed for the continent’s premier club competition, an issue they argue violates the eligibility criteria set out in section 5, chapter 26 of the rulebook.
Because of their final commitments, the Red Knights’ received permission from Dibba Al Fujairah to move October 29’s Arabian Gulf League-match to October 31 and Emirates Club to reschedule the November 2 clash to a date to be decided in the future.
Boss Olaroiu further thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, plus Ahli President and Crown Prince of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their vital support in getting the club where they are.
He said: “These people, they are why we are here. Without their support and investment, these players would not be here, I would not be here. Everything they have done, they have done for this country.”
