Al Ahli frustrated by Sepahan in AFC clash

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  • Stalemate: Al Ahli captain Grafite (r) failed to inspire his side to victory.

    Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu has called for interference from the football authorities in the country to help protect the teams representing the UAE in the AFC Champions League and alleviate the pressure of a packed schedule following the Red Knights’ goalless draw at home with Iran’s Sepahan.

    A visibly fatigued Dubai side played their sixth match within a 20-day period and were unable to capitalise on their home advantage against Sepahan, who were beaten by Ahli in Esfahan two weeks ago.

    Despite the draw last night, Ahli have gone top of Group D with six points from four matches, but Olaroiu explained how their upcoming gruelling schedule is making it impossible to focus on all fronts.

    “In my opinion, in this moment the players here are not prepared to play six, seven games in a row during 20 games, important games,” said the Romanian coach.

    “We have to protect them and adapt them to this way. Teams in Europe they have 20 players or the same level. In the Emirates we don’t have 20 or 25 players at a high level.

    “This is why they should think about a programme that can protect a little bit the teams playing in the Champions League because we’re representing the UAE internationally.”

    The Red Knights had Ahmed Ashouri as their custodian instead of Saif Yousif, while last week’s hero, Ismail Al Hammadi, whose injury-time strike gave Ahli the win over Sepahan in Iran, started off on the bench, but came on right before the half hour mark when Luis Jimenez was subbed out with a muscle strain.

    The match had an exciting start when Ahli’s Ciel fed Ahmed Khalil a brilliant through pass in the third minute before the Emirati got fouled by Ali Hamoudi, who got cautioned, and the hosts were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. But Hugo Viana’s effort is blocked.

    Sepahan forward Mehdi Sharifi spotted Ashouri advancing from his goal a few minutes later and cleverly fired from long range but his attempt is wide.

    The first of numerous clumsy clashes came a minute later when ‘keeper Ashouri flew over Sanqoor to block a shot but he hit his defender’s head, sending Sanqoor to the ground.

    Grafite provided the best moment of the first half when he struck a smooth curling effort that was aimed at the upper corner of the net but it sails just wide seven minutes from the break.

    Sepahan, the 2007 runners-up, made an explosive start to the second half and it wasn’t long before a Sharifi bullet hit the bar.

    The Irani side’s Hossein Papi inexplicably missed from close range, 53 minutes in, while Ahli’s Al Hammadi almost broke the deadlock on the hour mark but he couldn’t properly connect with a deft Khalil free kick.

    Four minutes later, within a space of 30 seconds, both ‘keepers made heroic saves. Ashouri first stopped an inspired strike from Sharifi before Gordan blocked a unmissable shot from Ciel.

    Ahli ended up gaining four points from their two matches against Sepahan, but Olaroiu remains worried about their jam-packed weeks ahead.

    “We knew that Sepahan is a very strong team, we wanted to win the game, unfortunately we couldn’t because we didn’t have the power, or the lucidity to finish the actions,” said Olaroiu.

    “It’s the sixth game in 20 days, I don’t think even in Europe teams play with this tempo.

    “We have a very important game against Hilal on the 15th, after that on the 19th we play the final of the Etisalat Cup, and 22nd we play the final game in the Champions League. Explain to me how I can prepare for these games?

    “We have to fix our priorities. It’s too much. I congratulate my players – they are heroes. They can’t even talk right now. I tried to talk to them and they cannot talk (from exhaustion).”

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