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Al Ahli find support from Al Ain

Abu dhabi - Al Ahli are set to take on debutants Naft Tehran in the AFC Champions League quarterfinal first leg at the Azadi Stadium in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

They are the fiercest of Arabian Gulf League (AGL) rivals with a bit of fractious history. But when it comes to a continental competition, they stand by each other.
Al Ahli are set to take on debutants Naft Tehran in the AFC Champions League quarterfinal first leg at the Azadi Stadium in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Wednesday night.
The Red Knights have made it to the knockout stages of the Asian competition for the very first time and support has come from their AGL rivals Al Ain.
Al Ain's star playmaker Omar Abdulrahman has said that they will support Al Ahli as the Red Knights will be representing the UAE.
Ironically, it was Al Ahli, who had ended Al Ain's campaign in the AFC Champions League. The two sides had met in the Round of 16 with Al Ahli going through on away goals.
The first leg at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai had ended in a goalless draw before the two clubs played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
Nevertheless, Omar said they will stand by Al Ahli and felt that their Dubai opponents could go all the way to the final.
"I believe that Al Ahli can reach the final of the AFC Champions League," said Omar.
"We wish them all the luck. We would be the first to be standing by their side because they are representing the UAE. They also have a great coach and good players. We will be the first to support them," added the 22-year-old, nicknamed 'Amoory.'
Al Ain had won the inaugural edition of the AFC Champions League in 2003.
james@khaleejtimes.com