Football: Al Ahli confident of giving Jazira a run for their money

Dubai - With six matches to go in the league season, Al Ahli are now in second place with 44 points. They are a point above Al Ain and six points behind leaders Jazira

After reducing the gap to six points with league leaders Al Jazira, Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu is confident of giving the Abu Dhabi club a run for their money.
With six matches to go in the league season, Al Ahli are now in second place with 44 points. They are a point above Al Ain and six points behind leaders Jazira.
Al Ahli are obviously very confident about their chances now after beating Al Jazira 2-1 in their last Arabian Gulf League game.
As they prepare to face Al Dhafra in their next game on Wednesday, the Red Knights' Romanian coach said his team would give everything they have to reach the finish line first.
"It's very difficult to talk about chances. Six points is six points. This is a big difference and we still have many games left," the Romanian said at a press conference in Dubai on Monday.
"But in my career as a coach, I have overcome 8-9-10 point gaps in the past. So that means that we still have a chance. We are going to try our best and do it. We have to believe that we can do it," Olaroiu added.
"See we have played many games in a very short period. And the next game is very important against Al Dhafra. We need to win this game. Yes, we have had our problems. But we are used to having problems and obstacles in the past and we know we can fix them. We have to find the right energy, the right solutions and motivation and try to stay focused. As I said we need to win the game. We know it will nor be easy."
Olaroiu said Al Dhafra, who are occupying the seventh position in the league table with 29 points, said Al Dhafra has a very good team.
"Al Dhafra is a very strong team. They play very good football and they have got some very good results home and away. For us we need to take into consideration all these factors and focus on the game."
The Romanian coach was also very happy with striker Ismail Hammadi's form. "Ismail Hammadi is back to being the Ismail Hammadi we know. I have already said in the last press conference that he wants to get back to his best form. That's what he is doing now," Olaroiu said.
The Romanian coach then dismissed rumours that star striker Ahmed Khalil would leave Al Ahli for Al Jazira.
"Ahmed Khalil is a great player and so obviously other clubs will always be interested to sign players like him," Olaroiu smiled.
"But as far as I know Ahmed is happy with Al Ahli club and he wants to stay at Al Ahli."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com