Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club boss Rodolfo Arruabarrena is confident he is ready to kick-start his new club’s faltering Arabian Gulf League-campaign.
Arruabarrena, 43, was appointed last week after the Rashid Stadium-outfit decided to terminate Jose Luis Sierra’s disappointing three-month tenure. They will now hope to see a repeat of the feats that saw their new man guide Al Wasl to second and third-placed finishes in the last two seasons, beginning with Friday’s debut at lowly Dibba Al Fujairah.
“Our technical staff have worked during the past week to equip the team as required to get all three points,” said ex-Argentina left-back Arruabarrena, who inherits a side down in seventh.
“I think Dibba deserves more points than they have got, when compared to their performances. We will not underestimate them.”
Meanwhile, the end of the international break sees the first Bur Dubai derby of the season when Al Wasl host Al Nasr.
Both sides have endured trying starts. A positive result, now, will lift the gloom.
“We have an important game against Al Nasr in the league, and we are now working hard, focusing on the physical and mental aspects to reach the highest level of readiness before the Bur Dubai derby,” said Cheetahs defender Abdulrahman Ali.
Another derby is set to take place on the east coast when promoted Fujairah travel to Ittihad Kalba.
Fellow AGL returnees Bani Yas will look to recover from a first AGL loss of the season when they meet Emirates Club.
