Boss Rodolfo Arruabarrena is taking nothing granted ahead of Monday’s President’s Cup final in which his Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club are hot favourites versus Al Dhafra.
The star-studded Dubai outfit are second in the Arabian Gulf League, six places and 16 points in front of opponents at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium who have never lifted a major trophy.
“The stakes are equal before the start of the game,” said ex-Argentina left-back Arruabarrena, who is aiming to lift his club’s first trophy since May 2017’s amalgamation. “It is 50 per cent for each team, in such confrontations there is no place for statistics and previous meetings.
“The game is ninety minutes and who exerts a greater effort will be worthy of the title and deserves the Cup.
Dhafra have blossomed since the summer appointment of Serbia’s Vuk Rasovic. He led Saudi Arabian outsiders Al Faisaly to defeat in last term’s King’s Cup showpiece – and will now be looking to go one better.
“This game is the most important this season,” said goalkeeper Khaled Al Senani. “All players have agreed to provide the best for the title and to make history.”
