Belief is coursing through Al Shabab that the club can crash the AFC Champions League qualification party and finish third in the Arabian Gulf League.
The Hawks are soaring of late, having dug out a spirited 1-0 win against long-time occupiers of the third spot, Al Nasr, on Saturday, which added to an impressive 2-1 defeat of reigning champions Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in their previous league game.
Veteran Shabab midfielder Daw-ood Ali claims the club’s season would have been over with defeat at home to the Blue Wave, but says the players now dare to dream about reaching the Champions League.
“This is our chance. Everything is in our hands,” said the 32-year-old former Bani Yas, Al Dhafra and Al Wasl man.
“If we win this game (against Nasr) we have the chance to go third. If we lost, the season would have been finished. This is what the coach said.”
Shabab’s task doesn’t get any easier in the immediate future as they face a trip to current leaders Al Ahli in their next game, on Friday, while their final game of the season could also prove pivotal, as they host Al Wasl, who leapfrogged Nasr into third following a 1-1 draw with Emirates Club last weekend.
They face eminently winnable games in-between against Al Shaab, Fujairah, Emirates and Al Dhafra, and with just five points separating Shabab in sixth and Wasl in third, Ali says confidence is sky-high.
“We win and now we have hard games against Al Wasl and Al Ahli, but we also have games with clubs we can get results against, so it’s possible,” he said.
“There is a chance. Football is 11 v 11 and we have a chance, inshallah.
“The last two results bring confidence. We have to think about the next game because if we lose everyone will forget about our good res-ults. We haven’t done too well this year but we are doing well at the end of the season.”
Shabab coach Caio Junior has challenged his side to seize their moment and claims that while his side has struggled to score goals this season – they are the second lowest scorers (24) behind rock-bottom Al Shaab – their third-ranked defence could be key in the race for third.
ترتيب الفرق بعد الجولة 20 من #دوري_الخليج_العربي
— Arabian Gulf League (@AGLeague) March 6, 2016
The #AGLeague standings after Round 20 pic.twitter.com/RAkE3NRxAx
“We lost some games but because we didn’t have luck. It’s clear every time Shabab play with balance we are the third best defence in the league,” said the Brazilian.
“This is very important. Only Al Ahli and Al Ain are better than us in this situation. Our problem is off-ensively, but we have good players, and I believe in my players.
“We won against Al Ain on their own field and now Al Nasr and this is our moment and I believe we can finish this season very well.
“This (third place) is our target now. We need to believe. We have six games and it’s not impossible.”
