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Etisalat Cup Competition kicks off on Saturday

During the break of the Etisalat Pro-league because of friendly and official encounters scheduled for the first National and Under -19 teams, the Etisalat Cup competition was organized to kick off on Saturday and complete its matches on Sunday October 9 and 10 respectively. Most of the teams will be missing some of their key players due to international duties, while the others will fight in this championship with full teams.

Unlike the last season, the Etisalat Cup competition will be organized for the first time with only two groups, instead of three which was the case in season 2009-2010.This comes in accordance to the request of the clubs in the last general assembly. The draw which was held last July classified teams of Al Ain, Al Wahda, Bani Yas, Al Nasr, Al Dhafra and Dubai in the first group, whilst the second category is composed of Al Jazira the defending champions, Al Shabab, Kalba, Sharjah, Al Wasl and Al Ahli. Each group will compete in a round-robin games, and the first and second teams in each group will qualify directly to the semi-final. The four qualifying squads who would make it to the semi final stage will be rewarded financial prizes.

The competition will resume tomorrow on Saturday October 9 with three matches. Al Ahli will travel to the Eastern Coast to face Kalba at home who forced the visitors to a 2-2 draw in their match played in the third round of Etisalat Pro-league, kick off at 5:10 pm. Both teams play in the second group. Al Nasr will host Bani Yas in the first match of the first group at 5:15. The visitors will play without some of their key players who are joining the Olympic team currently organizing a warm- up camp in Al Ain. The matches of the first day will be concluded with a tough game with Al Wahda hosting their traditional rivals Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, the game starts at 5:20 pm. Both teams ended their Etisalat Pro-league match with a goalless draw. They will play without of many of their important players due to injury and international duties.

In the second day of Etisalat Cup on Sunday, Sharjah will host Al Wasl who are now staying on top of the table with 12 points after five rounds played in the Etisalat Pro-league, kick off will be at 5:15 pm. Dubai who are still at the bottom of the table in the Etisalat Pro-league with no points, will meet with Al Dhafra at their pitch in a game starts at 5:15 and Al Jazira will host Al Shabab at Mohammed Bin Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi, kick off at 8 pm.