News Center

UAE Clubs fight for qualification to GCC Championship semifinals

 

Three UAE football teams - Al Shabab, Al Ahli and Al Dhafra - are set to battle it out this Tuesday May24 when they face their counterparts in the knock-out quarterfinal stage of the 26th GCC Clubs Championship.

Al Shabab, who finished the preliminary stage of the competition on top of Group A with 9 points, will take on Dhafar of Sultanate of Oman who came second in Group C, tomorrow May 24 at Maktoum Bin Rashid Stadium, kick off at 6:30pm. The Dubai-based club ensured their qualification after beating Al Riffah of Bahrain 2-0 in the match played earlier in Bahrain's capital Manama. This defeat put Al Riffah out of contention whilst it opened the door for Al Salmiyah of Kuwait to qualify for the quarterfinal stage on goal difference. Dhafar's mission arrived in Dubai yesterday and the team conducted their first training session that evening under the guidance of Egyptian coach Ayman Al Ramadi who has worked before with a number of UAE clubs. Led by their Brazilian coach Bonamego, Al Shabab will conclude their preparations this evening when they conduct their last training session at the match's pitch. They will play against the Omani visiting team with their strongest line-up, with only Adil Abdullah not taking part due to knee injury.

In other matches, Dubai's Al Ahli and Al Dhafra from the Western Region will play a crucial match against each other tomorrow at Rashid Stadium at 9pm. Al Ahli, who are currently playing under the guidance of their local caretaker coach Abdul Hameed Al Mistiki, came on top of Group D after defeating Al Arabi of Kuwait in their two matches, as only the two squads competed in this group after Al Ahli of Bahrain withdrew. Al Arabi also qualified to the quarterfinal stage despite losing twice to UAE side. Al Dhafra, who will be relegated to the UAE's First Division League following their 6-4 loss to Dubai in the Etisalat Pro-League on the weekend, finished the preliminary phase of the GCC Clubs Championship with 7 points taking second position in Group B.