Al Wahda can't hide priorities and other UAE talking points for AFC Champions League

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  • Al Ain and Al Wahda will be competing in the AFC Champions League this week (PLC).

    The four UAE teams enjoyed mixed fortunes when the 2018 AFC Champions League’s group stages began last week.

    Here, we assess the situation for round two:

    AL WAHDA V AL DUHAIL (18:50, MONDAY)

    An enlightening test of the Clarets’ priorities will be on show.

    A weakened side got humiliated 5-0 at Lokomotiv Tashkent, yet with their star names back in the fold they humbled rivals Al Ain 5-1 on Friday to reach the Arabian Gulf Cup’s semi-finals. Will their Asian ambitions be sacrificed, once again, versus Al Duhail?

    AL AHLI JEDDAH V AL JAZIRA (21:10, MONDAY)

    The Pride of Abu Dhabi exited the AG Cup with a whimper last week – a competition coach Henk ten Cate was glad to see the back of.

    He is fully committed to the Asian cause, in contrast to last year. Al Ahli Jeddah represent fierce opponents, yet confidence is growing after the opener’s first win in 16 ACL ties.

    NASAF V AL WASL (17:00, TUESDAY)

    The Cheetahs have been collecting bumps and bruises.

    They were emotionally scarred by the late capitulation to Al Sadd when they experienced ACL football for the first time in a decade, while Friday’s AG Cup derby win against rivals Al Nasr was a feisty affair. They must now beat Nasaf to stay in the Asian mix, despite the continued absence of lethal forward Fabio De Lima.

    AL AIN V AL RAYYAN (19:10, TUESDAY)

    It is a strange time at Al Ain.

    They top the Arabian Gulf League and earned a creditable 0-0 draw at Saudi Arabian nemesis Al Hilal last Tuesday, but star man Omar Abdulrahman’s confusing season continued with a poor display in the battering by Wahda.

    He and his club must turn it on against Al Rayyan.

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