Al Ahli favourites, but Shabab are confident of winning AGC

With nine of his players representing the national team in Australia, the Romanian coach is concerned

History will be on Al Ahli's side when the Red Knights cross swords with Al Shabab in the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Saturday.
Twice winners of the Cup, the Cosmin Olaroiu-led side, who are currently second in the Arabian Gulf League standings, would like to get their hands on their first silverware of the season.
But with nine of his players representing the national team in Australia on Tuesday, the Romanian coach is concerned if his boys will be match fit, come April 1.
"I haven't seen the players until now," said Olaroiu at a press briefing at the Al Maktoum Stadium, Al Nasr Club, on Thursday.
"I hope to see them today (on Thursday) evening at training," he said.
Olaroiu had reason to be cautious as his wards are likely to suffer from jetlag.
"The national team played two tough games in a short period of time. Also travelling to Australia (15 hours one way) and to get back in time to play the final here is tough," he said.
"The players are disappointed with the defeat (to Australia). In my opinion the UAEFA should ensure that the Cup final is prepared in a better way so as to give the players enough time to recover, as for us, it is very important to win every competition.
"With such little time (two days on hand) it's difficult to plan new strategies."
Olaroiu said he would have preferred meeting any other team than Shabab in the final.
"We may be having a good record against them - winning 3-2 when they last met in the Arabian Gulf Cup - but I would have preferred to play any other team than Al Shabab. They are better than their results have shown.
"It's always difficult against Shabab but we are hopeful of winning the Cup."
While the Red Knights will take the tag of favourites, The Hawks, under Miroslav Djukic, are not going to be pushovers.
"It's a very important game for us but we are ready to win it," said the Serbian coach, who took charge of the team only two months ago.
Shabab had a good training camp in Doha wherein the coach assessed the pros and cons of the players and now he is ready for the final.
"We want to be competitive. The players have improved a lot since I took over. They (Al Ahli) are under pressure and they are favourites but we are ready to win," he said confidently.
Djukic understood his opposite number Olaroiu's concern about not having his players at hand to train due to national duty but he said that was the nature of the game when players have to represent club and country.
This will be Shabab's fourth final after winning it on one occasion and they would want to seal it as it is their only chance of winning something this season after lying in eighth position in the AGL.
clareto@khaleejtimes.com