News Center

Al Shabab and Al Dhafra continue their successful march in the GCC Championship

 

Dubai-based Al Shabab and Al Dhafra are set to play important games in the preliminary stage of the Gulf Clubs Championship when they face Al Salmiyah of Kuwait and Saham of Oman on Tuesday and Wednesday this week respectively. Al Shabab will host their Kuwaiti rivals tomorrow at Maktoum Bin Rashid Stadium in Dubai at 7:35pm while Al Dhafra will travel to Sultanate of Oman to battle it out against lowly Saham the following day.

After capturing the Etisalat Cup title for this season following their deserved 3-2 win over Al Ain in the final match played at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi-based Al Jazira Club last Friday, Al Shabab hope to continue their winning streak at the GCC level. They won the away encounter held earlier in Kuwait by a lone goal in the second round to raise their tally to six points that put them on top of Group "A". The team's Brazilian coach Paulo Bonamego is likely to face the visiting squad with the same probables who won the Etisalat Cup title.

On the other hand Al Dhafra will take on Saham on Wednesday May 4, kick off 7:30pm, UAE time. The visitors have already qualified for the quarterfinals of the GCC Clubs Championship after outclassing Al Arabi of Qatar 5-0 in their third game played recently at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium in the Western Region. They raised their balance to 6 points and moved to the top of Group "B" on goal difference to second placed Al Arabi. But Saham have dashed their hopes as they are staying at the bottom of the group and they are yet to open their account.

Al Dhafra's Syrian coach Mohammad Kwid may field in this game a number of his reserve team players, giving the key elements some rest to get ready for their Etisalat Pro-League round 18 crucial tie when they host Al Ain on May 16; both of them are in the relegation zone.

According to the Championship regulations, the teams who finish the group stage as leaders will have the chance to play their quarterfinal games at home.

Dubai-based Al Ahli have finished their two-horse group race on top of Group "D" on six points with their contenders Al Arabi of Kuwait taking second place to qualify to the quarterfinal phase with no points after losing twice to Al Ahli in their home and away matches.