Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Dubai's Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah, the two most successful domestic sides this season, will go up for a cup title shot in Abu Dhabi on Friday when take the field for the UAE President's Cup final.
The summit clash for one of the most prestigious trophies in domestic football will kick off at 7.30pm with all roads leading to the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, the home of Al Jazira club.
Paulo Sousa's Shabab Al Ahli are the ADNOC Pro League champions-elect while Sharjah are still fighting to secure the second spot with three matches to go. In the history of the President's Cup also, the two teams share the record for the most number of titles won – 10 and one of them will nudge ahead before midnight tomorrow.
The latter, under coach Cosmin Olaroiu, are also due to play in the Asian Champions League Two final in Singapore on May 18. Along with the fact that Olaroiu has been named the national team manager who must spearhead the UAE's World Cup qualifying with five players from his club side on upcoming international duty, it means Sharjah will have to approach the final with a lot more strategic factors at stake to consider.
Olaroiu promised to deliver the best at the media interaction on the eve of the match. "We are in the final of the tournament, and will play our best football. We have the experience required for the finals and we have had a good track record in the tournament, but we know that the task will be very difficult.
"We have nothing to lose, and we are clinging to our chances to win. We are capable of dealing with a competitor that I consider the best in the country this season. I think this will be a difficult match, but we will get through it together. I hope the match will be fun for everyone."
The Romanian, 55, sat on the dias dressed in a red jacket, the predominant colour of Shabab Al Ahli, has sparked a revival of sorts at Sharjah since taking over in 2021. When Olariou was reminded of the fact that he has also coached the rivals from Dubai in his previous stint for 4 out of the 10 years he has spent in the UAE, and asked to put it in current context, he said: "Perhaps I am older, and I prefer shorter tournaments, but in general, I always strive to win all possible titles and I expect my players also to give their best tomorrow."
While Sharjah quelled Shabab Al Ahli in the ACL Two quarter-final on the way to the final, Sousa's men had revenge in the most recent meeting – the semi-final of the ADIB Cup – before falling short to Al Jazira in the final.
Sousa is keen to make up for that miss with one more crown before the coronation in the Pro League. "We have talked about the experience and the path of this competition. As a team, we are united, determined and have a winning mentality. We would like to add to this historic season, and we want to be the best."
On their rivals, Sousa said: "We know each other well. We know that the team is very strong and that they are very good in defending. They also rely on counter-attacks. And so we need to focus, control the game in the midfield and be strong in this match."
While Sharjah were also represented by captain Shahin Abdulrahman, keeping Sousa company was Guilherme da Silva or better known as Bala. On a side note to a question on Bala, the manager said he believed that the naturalised forward, 23, has the potential to play in the European leagues.
Meanwhile, the hosts Jazira have been preparing to roll out the red carpet while expecting fans to throng the 40,000-capacity stadium. In conjunction with local authorities, traffic arrangements have been made including Park and Ride buses from Zayed Sports City.
