Forward Fabio De Lima has challenged his Al Wasl team-mates to prove their AFC Champions League credentials by instantly rebounding from last week’s loss to Bani Yas.
A 2-1 reversal last Friday cost the fourth-placed Cheetahs precious ground in the battle to finish in the third-and-final qualification spot.
They return to AGL action this evening against lowly Sharjah and 17-goal Brazilian De Lima, 22, demanded a reaction.
He said: “Winning against Sharjah will mean we are still competitors, we are going to give our best against Sharjah. I expect the match to be very difficult because Sharjah wants to get away from relegation zone.”
Their rivals at Zabeel Stadium are still hovering five points above the drop zone after a dismal 2-0 defeat to Al Dhafra upon the top-flight’s resumption.
King boss Abdulaziz Al Anbari hoped he had managed to lift his troops’ morale on the training pitch.
He said: “Our work has been focused towards restoring confidence in the players and returning them to their level. We have prepared well to have a good game at Al Wasl.”
Meanwhile, Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre was convinced his highflying side would not stumble for a second week in a row when they travel to Dhafra.
The Arabian Gulf Cup champions are in possession of the hallowed third place despite a dismal goalless draw against third-bottom Emirates Club last week.
“Always the team does not play badly for two games in a row,” said the former Mexico and Atletico Madrid supremo. “The excuse for this is that the season is close to an end and there is also the pressure on the team to finish in third place.”
For Dhafra, they simply want to “100-per-cent “seal a fifth-successive season of top-flight football.
“We are, at this moment, good at all levels,” said coach Mohammed Kwid. “The team now seeks to confirm our 100-per-cent survival.”
