Al Wasl utility man Hassan Ameen has warned the AFC Champions League chasers they face a team with “nothing to lose” on Saturday night against rock-bottom Al Shaab.
The visitors to Zabeel Stadium sit bottom – a minimum 12 points from safety – but tasted victory in the Arabian Gulf League at the 17th time of asking against fellow strugglers Al Dhafra last weekend.
Wasl need to get back to winning ways after a 1-0 defeat by Al Ahli as they attempt to move up from fourth place into the hallowed top-three spots.
“Al Shaab have nothing to lose and they will fight from the first and last minute,” said the 30-year-old summer signing from Al Jazira. “Nothing is impossible in football, so we have to be ready for the match. If we can score first, it will help us a lot.”
Meanwhile, Sharjah coach Abdulaziz Al Anbari is full of confidence ahead of the visit of heavyweights Ahli.
An enormous 23-point gap separates the relegation-threatened hosts from their title-challenging opponents, with the King sitting precariously just one point off the drop zone.
Al Anbari refused to be cowed by the situation as he issued a battle cry during his preparations.
He said: “Ahli are a great team, who compete for all the championships. But this does not prevent us from thinking about the win. I always have great confidence in the group which enters the stadium to defend Sharjah’s colours.”