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A decisive weekend of matches for Etisalat Cup qualification

Some teams will be fighting to secure themselves a birth in the semifinals of the Etisalat Cup during this weekend's matches, which kick off tomorrow, Friday 14th January. It could be the last chance for some Clubs to proceed to the next stage if they fail to win this week, whilst others will have nothing to lose after already finding themselves out of contention.

Al Nasr will host Al Dhafra in the first game of Group A at Al Maktoum Stadium, with a kick off at 6:35pm. Both teams are sitting on nine points and a defeat will see the losers out of the race with no chance to qualify to the next phase. The winners will keep their hopes alive going into the final round on 21st January.

In the day's second match, the leaders of Group A Al Ain will face Dubai at Dubai's pitch in Al Aweer at 6:35pm. The visitors need a single point to secure their qualification to the semifinal after collecting 16 points so far and being the only team in the group not to lose a single game so far. Dubai are in 3rd place with 10 points and a win will strengthen their hopes of making it through.

Abu Dhabi- based team Al Wahda beat Al Dhafra in the previous week to jump to 2nd place with 10 points, while their opposition this week, Bani Yas, have slipped to the bottom of the ladder following their 1-1 draw against Al Ain in Week 8. Al Wahda will host Bani Yas at their ground in Abu Dhabi at 6:40pm.

This week's matches will conclude with the three Group B matches on Saturday, 15th January. Kalba will play at home against Al Shaba at 5pm. The home team have 11 points and are in 3rd place, just behind the visiting squad who are sitting in 2nd position with 12 points. Both will be fighting hard for the win and chance for semifinal qualification. Sharjah who are still in with a chance in the 4th spot with 10 points will face lowly placed Al Ahli, who are out of the title fight after collecting only five points to be at the bottom of the table. This match will kick off at 5:05pm.

Al Jazira will play the last match of the week at their home pitch at 5:10pm. The home team are second from the bottom with nine points, while their rivals Al Wasl are leading the group with 15 points.