Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic will take nothing for granted when the Arabian Gulf League and UAE Division 1 Group A champions clash in the President’s Cup.
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The Boss begin their defence on Thursday when top-flight clubs enter the 2015 edition at two-day round-of-16 stage. Their push for a domestic double starts at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, against a Dibba Al Fujairah side who won promotion back to the top flight after a two-year break under coach Tareq Al Sayed this term.
“There’s nothing easy in football and our opponents are equally champions of the first division,” Dalic said. “They must be looking forward to making their presence felt after being promoted to the higher league.
“We need to be careful in dealing with every detail, the President’s Cup is associated with surprises.”
AGL runners-up Al Jazira host relegated Ajman at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium and coach Eric Gerets believes his side face a difficult task against a team who have nothing to lose.
The Belgian said: “It’s a cup game and cup games you can only lose. If you win everybody will say it’s logical and if you lose it’s a disaster, so it’s a tricky game. The fact is also they have nothing to lose.”
In the round’s other highlights, Sami Al Jaber will hope to continue Al Wahda’s upswing against lower league Dubai Club and last year’s beaten finalists Al Ahli host already-relegated Ittihad Kalba.
Bani Yas and Al Wasl will have lots to play for when they clash on Friday in Abu Dhabi, Arabian Gulf Cup holders Al Nasr travel to Sharjah and AGL high flyers Al Shabab face Emirates Club.
