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Al Shaab v Kalba Pre-Match Press Conferences

Al Shaab head coach Marius Sumudica faces a tough task to field a strong team for the Etisalat Pro League Round 14 game against Kalba, with many first-choice players unavailable for selection. “We will be missing a large number of players for the game with Kalba due to injuries and suspensions, so this means we will rely on players from the Reserve team, who do not have sufficient experience. This is one of the real difficulties we are facing now,” the Romanian said at his pre-match press conference. Sumudica predicts a unique atmosphere for the game, adding: “The two teams are in a similar position at the bottom so it will be like a cup final for both. I have warned my players not to underestimate Kalba as they have become a good team recently after making a number of changes.” Sumudica confirmed that Michael Laurent Ndri and Filipe Teixeira will be with the team for the game despite both struggling with recent injuries, stating that they have worked hard on rehabilitation to be ready for the game.

Ze Mario, head coach of Kalba, is aware that there is no substitute for victory in his side’s bottom-of-the-table clash, with both teams struggling to secure survival in the Etisalat Pro League. “We will treat the game as a cup final, and try our best not to concede any goals. Al Shaab have good quality players, and I think fighting spirit will be 70% responsible for the result in this counter, with just 30% down to tactics. That’s the sort of game it will be.”