Struggling Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli will “fight until the end” to correct their faltering season, according to belligerent boss Cosmin Olaroiu.
A second-successive top-flight defeat was inflicted by Al Nasr on Friday, leaving the Red Knights floundering in seventh spot.
This is a far cry from the dominant displays that carried the Red Knights to the treble a few months ago.
Ahli have a tremendous opportunity to claim just a second win in eight matches in all competitions, with bottom-placed Ittihad Kalba visiting Rashid Stadium tonight. Olaroiu issued a battle cry prior to the match, demanding his troops cede no further ground.
“We will fight util the end,” the Romanian vowed. “Under any circumstances, anything that happens to us, we need to fight it.
“We need to fight and continue on. We must not judge our opponents’ previous results.
The first rumblings of discontent were audible during Ahli’s last match at Rashid Stadium, a 1-0 reversal to Emirates Club. Olaroiu acolyte Mirel Radoi was heckled when substituted, the boss’ judgement in signing the veteran midfielder last summer questioned.
UAE forward Ahmed Khalil joined Olaroiu in the pre-match press conference, echoing his boss’ combative remarks.
He said: “We have rarely had a full squad. We are a team, and everyone should do their job and give eveything.
“Regardless of who plays, we need to get the three points in all games.
“The league is not finished yet. We do not want them [the fans] to think it is over, we will do our best in the next game and hopefully we will get their confidence back.”
Al Jazira v Sharjah
Eric Gerets has described Al Jazira’s Arabian Gulf League title dream as a “little miracle” and believes a busy festive period could decide their championship fate.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi kicked off a busy period of four games in two weeks with Friday’s 3-2 capital city derby win at Bani Yas.
Gerets’ men welcome Sharjah to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium tonight, travel to third-placed Al Shabab on Sunday, before returning home to host resurgent Al Wasl next Friday.
Jazira will be without their league-leading top-scorer Mirko Vucinic, who is suspended, for the visit of Sharjah, but Gerets expects Ali Mabkhout to step up in the Montenegrin’s absence.
“We have Ali Mabkhout. We agreed to leave him out of the game against Bani Yas in order to be fit for this game.”
Gerets also hopes Jonathan Pitroipa will not be too jet-lagged for the game.
The Burkina Faso international flew 14 hours to France and back in one day earlier this week after his house was burgled.
“I can imagine that he is still tired, but at least he is here and I am happy that he is here,” said Gerets.
Despite lying third from bottom in the league, Al Jazira will have to play at their top level to win against Sharjah.
