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Etisalat Cup starts tomorrow without the National Team Players

The UFL teams are back again from tomorrow to continue their struggle in the Etisalat Cup Competition which is due to kick off on Thursday December 30 with three matches and concluded with three other games the following day. Both groups' squads are to fight hard in Week 7 in order to revive their hopes and upgrade their positions in this decisive round. The Etisalat Cup Championship is likely to continue for almost one month, a period that was devoted to the National Senior Team participation in the Asian Football Championship scheduled to be organized by Qatar next month. Due to the National duties, some teams will miss the efforts of a number of their key national players, while others will play with their full line up.  

Al Ain will host Al Dhafra on Thursday at 4:55pm at Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Stadium under the guidance of their new Brazilian coach Al Exander Gallo who was signed recently to replace Ex-local trainer Abdul Hameed Al Mistiki who was dismissed following the team's results in the Etisalat Pro-League Competition. But Al Ain team are sitting on top of group "A" in this championship with 12 points which they have collected from three wins and three draws. They remain the only team in this group without losing a single game. Al Ain organized a three-day warm-up camp in Abu Dhabi during this week and was concluded today afternoon and came as part of their preparations for tomorrow's match. The visiting squad, Al Dhafra, are currently staying as runners-up with nine points. They lost 1-3 to Al Ain in their home game and that was their first defeat in the first round.

In the second game of the day, Al Shabab will face their city rivals Al Ahli at Al Wasl's pitch as the former's stadium is currently under construction; kick off at 4:55pm. Al Shabab are in the 2nd place with nine points whereas their contenders Al Ahli, are second from bottom of group "B" after collecting only 4 points and are looking to maintain their second victory as they won only once against Sharjah 2/5 and drew 1/1 to Kalba, but lost four times to Al Jazira 1/3, Al Shabab with a solitary goal and to Al Wasl 0/2 and 2/3 in their home and away matches.

Sharjah are to travel to Abu Dhabi to meet hosts Al Jazira in the concluding match of the first day of Week 7; kick off at 8pm. The visitors are staying at the bottom of the ladder with 4 points after drawing in 4 matches, losing twice and are still to maintain their first victory. But the home squad have collected 8 points so far that see them in the 3rd position.

The other matches of Week 7 will be played on Friday, December 31 with Dubai hosting Bani Yas at 4:55pm, Kalba facing Al Wasl, kick off at 4:55 and Al Wahda tackle it out against Dubai- based Al Nasr at 8pm. Al Wasl are leading group "B" with 12 points while Kalba are classified in 4th place with 8 points. Both teams remain without a defeat as Al Wasl won three times and drew in three other games and Kalba won only once against Al Jazira 2-1 , but drew in five matches. Bani Yas have 7 points in 4th position, one point ahead of Dubai who are taking 5th place with six points, also one point ahead of lowly Al Wahda who have collected only five points that put them at the bottom of the table.