Newly-promoted Fujairah will provide Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli with the hardest test they have faced so far this season, according to coach Cosmin Olaroiu.
The Red Knights have endured a mixed start to their title defence. They have won both fixtures on the road but lost to Al Shabab and drew with Ajman at Rashid Stadium.
Ahli escape from their troubles at home with a trip east to play Abdulwahab Abdulqadir’s side tonight.
Olaroiu said: “Fujairah looks for me the strongest team we have played until now.
“It is important for us to start making positive results in a row, because we had some problems. We try to find a new way to play without [the seriously injured] Ciel.
“We need to find the right motivation to get the three points.”
Striker Carlos Munoz trained with his new Ahli team-mates for the first time on Friday following his deadline-day move from Bani Yas. UAE international midfielder Majed Hassan is still undergoing treatment for a hip injury, with a return date pencilled in for October 18’s titanic clash with Al Jazira.
Meanwhile, Luis Garcia has warned that no one is safe at Bani Yas as he attempts to reverse his dispiriting start as coach. The win-less Sky Blues languish in 10th place, last Tuesday’s painful 3-2 matches.
“We will make any necessary changes right across the team, not only in defence,” Garcia said.
“But it is still early and we have time to turn things around.”
Bani Yas were the busiest team on Thursday’s transfer deadline day. They bought the tall striker demanded by Garcia in Al Wasl’s Mohamed Naser and acquired Al Ahli defender Saeed Suroor as part of the exchange deal for Munoz.
Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic has urged his players to banish the painful memories of last season’s costly defeat at Ajman when he leads his side back to the Orange Brigade. The Blue Wave’s hopes of AFC Champions League qualification suffered a decisive blow when they lost this fixture 3-1 in April.
“Last season perhaps we missed out on taking third position in the AGL due to losing away at Ajman,” the Serbian said. “But now it’s a new season, it’s a difficult game; we need these three points and will fight for them.”
