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Round-Up: Pre-Season Training Camps

As preparations for the upcoming 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League continue in earnest, all fourteen of the UAE’s professional clubs have currently based themselves in a number of European countries for pre-season training camps. Here, we summarise the pre-season progress of the teams so far as they get ready for the big domestic kick-offs: the Arabian Gulf Super Cup on Friday 30th August, the League Cup on 3rd and 4th September, and the Arabian Gulf League on 14th and 15th September.

AL AHLI
As Cosmin Olaroiu’s side gear up for the Arabian Gulf Super Cup match on Friday 30th August, the players have been put through their paces at their pre-season training base in Seefeld, Austria. They kicked off the camp by crossing the border into Italy and recording a 1-1 draw against Bolzano-based side FC Südtirol. Al Ahli’s second overseas pre-season friendly ended in a 3-1 victory over Austrian team S.V. Wörgl, with new signing Hugo Viana opening the scoring before Ismaeel Al Hammadi bagged a brace.

AL AIN
New Al Ain head coach Jorge Fossati has used the team’s training camp in Lienz, Austria as a chance to get to know his new steeds better, and work on both fitness and tactical elements with the squad. The reigning League champions beat Slovenian side NK Celje 2-0 in their first pre-season friendly of the European camp, and will face Qatari opposition on Saturday 24th before returning to the UAE for the Arabian Gulf Super Cup match next week.

AL DHAFRA
Al Dhafra are one of the many squads based in Germany, and their pre-season training camp has given new head coach Dr. Abdullah Misfer a chance to gel with his players. Their first friendly result was a 4-0 win over ASV 1927.

AJMAN
Ajman have broken the mould by setting up camp in Turkey, where Abdulwahab Abdulkader’s men managed a 1-0 win over FIFA Turkey in a pre-season friendly.

AL JAZIRA
Luis Milla’s men began their pre-season training camp in the picturesque surroundings of Interlaken City in Switzerland. An impressive 1-0 friendly win over Swiss side FC Lausanne, courtesy of an early penalty from new Paraguayan signing Nelson Valdez, got Al Jazira’s overseas camp off to a positive start. The squad has now moved their base to Germany, where they will continue their physical and mental preparations for the coming season.

AL NASR
The Blues have settled in Munich, Germany, where the players have been training under new head coach Ivan Jovanovic. Al Nasr’s first pre-season friendly of the camp came against German opposition in 1860 Munich, and it was the Dubai side who came out on top with a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from new Australian signing Brett Holman, and midfielder Humaid Ahmed.

AL SHAAB
Al Shaab have had a busy pre-season training camp, with the players facing three different opposition teams already. The first friendly ended in a 2-2 draw with Austria Wien, followed by a 1-0 win over Hungarian side Haladás thanks to a goal from Michel Laurent Ndri, and lastly another 2-2 draw against TSV Dannau.

AL SHABAB
Marcos Paqueta’s players and staff have set up camp in Düsseldorf, Germany, where they have been working hard to build on their impressive showing last season. Recording two very positive pre-season friendly results so far – a 0-0 draw with Al Rayyan of Qatar, followed by a 2-1 win over German giants Schalke 04 – things are looking bright for Al Shabab.

AL WAHDA
Al Wahda, whose camp is based in southern Germany, lost their first European pre-season friendly 4-0 to German side Regensburg. However, Karel Jarolim’s squad recovered well with a 5-3 victory over 1860 Munich, as new Argentinian signing Sebastian Tagliabue scored twice and Marco Estrada, Suhail Al Mansoori and Saeed Al Kathiri all also found the back of the net.

AL WASL
Al Wasl have set up camp in Nuremburg, Germany, where the squad has been boosted by the return to full training of long-term injury absentees Donda and Rashid Essa. Laurent Banide’s side recorded a 2-0 victory over German team Bayern Hof in their first friendly match of the camp.

BANI YAS
Based in the stunning Leogang, Austria, the Bani Yas players have had to contend with some heavy downpours during their pre-season preparations. However, the rain remained at bay as they took on Qatari side Al Sadd in a pre-season friendly fixture, and though Jorge da Silva’s men lost 2-1, the game gave a good opportunity for new international signings Carlos Muñoz and Luis Fariña to integrate into the team.

DUBAI
Dubai is another club based in Nuremburg for their pre-season training camp, led by new head coach Martin Rueda. The players will test their fitness in a friendly match against fellow Arabian Gulf League side Sharjah later today.

EMIRATES
Eid Baroot’s Emirates notched up a 4-2 win over German side Ingolstadt, with summer signing Luiz Henrique – formerly of Al Shabab – scoring a double. The newly-promoted side have been preparing for the 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League season at base on the outskirts of Munich, Germany.

SHARJAH
Basing themselves in the German city of Nuremburg, Paulo Bonamigo’s Sharjah side suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Qatari side Al Arabi in their opening pre-season friendly of the overseas camp, and will take on fellow UAE side Dubai today.