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Banide: Tough match against League leaders after last round defeat

Al Dhafra's French coach Laurent Banide foresees a tough match for his side as they welcome League leaders Al Ain to the Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium on Thursday 14th February, with kick-off at 5:30pm. During a pre-match press conference, held at the Club's Abu Dhabi headquarters, Banide highlighted the fact that he does not want a repeat of last round's disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to Dibba Al Fujairah and his side will be looking to make amends by claiming the three points this time.

Discussing the squad, Banide praised the arrival of new Brazilian signing Rodrigo Souza, who joined from Al Shaab, and will add a new attacking dimension to Al Dhafra's play. Several Al Dhafra players, currently on loan from Al Ain, are ineligible for the clash against their parent club, but Banide insists it will provide a good opportunity for other squad players to prove themselves in the starting lineup. On the absence of goalkeeper Khalid Al Sinani, who has been in brilliant form recently, Banide added: "We trust the ability and the goalkeeping experience of Abdulbaset Al Hammadi, and I hope all the players will play to the necessary level in order to secure a positive result."

To conclude his press conference, Banide played down talks of the state of the pitch and the impact it will have on the game, insisting that the ground is in good condition and it will not affect the visitors Al Ain's performance.