Football: Defending champs Al Ahli all set for Al Shabab test

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Football: Defending champs Al Ahli all set for Al Shabab test
Cosmin Olariu and Al Ahli captain Salman Khamis during a press conference.

Published: Wed 26 Oct 2016, 10:11 PM

Last updated: Thu 27 Oct 2016, 2:14 PM

Defending champions Al Ahli are bracing for a tough and physical test against Arabian Gulf League pace setters Al Shabab and the Red Knights are hoping to answer in the same vein and come away unscathed from the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.
Cosmin Olaroiu's men go up against Fred Rutten's Al Shabab in a battle of wits and skills and in what should be a very physical Al Quasis Derby on Friday night. And Olaroiu is well aware of that has whipped up plans to negate them.
"Al Shabab are a team who are very physical in their style of play. We have to answer with the same attitude and play hard against them," Olaroiu said at the pre-match press briefing at the Meydan Hotel on Wednesday evening.
"We expect it to be a tough game against very tough opponents. We also played against them in the Arabian Gulf Cup and they are a difficult team. They have physical potential and we have always had a difficult game against them. So, we have to be in top shape to reach our target, which is to get the three points," he added.
The two sides had met in the Arabian Gulf Cup in September with a Rodrigo Lima goal and an Asamoah Gyan brace settling the issue 3-2 in Al Ahli's favour.
Emirati striker Ahmed Khalil had missed the previous game against Dibba because of muscle cramps during UAE World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia and while there has been talk doing the rounds that the AFC Player of the Year's performance has dipped, the Romanian believes he is still a valuable player for them.
"I don't think that (Ahmed) Khalil's performance has gone down. He played well in the Super Cup and he scored twice against Emirates. Also against Al Nasr, he played well. For me, personally, his performance hasn't gone down. He has cramps in his muscle. We could have taken the chance and played him in the previous game as he was in a better condition. But then we chose not to. His performance hasn't gone down and for us, he is a key player," said Olaroiu.
Meanwhile, defender Salmin Khamis said that the Red nights will give it their best shot.
"We are looking to go out there and give it our best and try and win the game. Hopefully, we can do that and return with the three points. I hope more fans will come and support us at the stadium," said Salmin.

By James Jose

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