Quique Sanchez Flores is hoping Thursday's Abu Dhabi clasico can help inspire his Al Ain side to a first win at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
The Boss opened their state-of-the-art new ground last month with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Al Dhafra, certainly not the result they hoped for ahead of the visit of Al Wahda.
Since then, however, they have claimed a place in the President’s Cup final and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Dubai last weekend – with Asamoah Gyan enjoying awelcome return to form with three goals in two games.
“This is a derby match and during the history of the clasico matches each match has its own conditions,” Sanchez Flores said. “We are waiting for the derby match with hot enthusiasm as it is the second match for Al Ain at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, and we are looking for our first victory at the new stadium in such a top match.”
Wahda have not won a single point in three trips to the Garden City since a 1-0 victory in April 2010 but could leapfrog their hosts and move into the top five with victory. And Sanchez Flores insisted the Boss will not take their neighbours lightly.
He added: “We respect Al Wahda. Through the three years that I’ve spent in the UAE league, I know well that Al Wahda is an organised and tough team, so winning the clasico demands huge effort and high concentration.”
The hosts will be without playmaker Omar Abdulrahman for the second week running, as the UAE star continues to receive treatment in Rome. He is expected back in Al Ain next week but Wahda coach Jose Peseiro has little sympathy for his opponents.
“Some players will not be available for us as well,” the Portuguese coach said. “Hamdan Al Kamali will not be present, Hussain Fadel and Eisa Santo did not attend training for a long time, and Adel Hermach did not participate in any game for a month-and-a-half. If Al Ain Club has only one problem, then compare it to the many problems we have.”
However, Peseiro, who said he was confident his players could claim a positive result, added: “I hope Omar Abdulrahman returns as soon as possible because he is a good player, and I wish he could take part in the match.”
