GCC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL (FIRST LEG) – Al Khor vs Bani Yas
Kick-off: Friday 17; 8:00pm
Bani Yas winger Christian Wilhelmsson believes a positive result in the first leg of the GCC Champions League final against Al Khor on Friday can help spur the club on to a top three finish in the Pro League.
The side’s 2-2 draw with Al Ain – four days after they booked their place in the showpiece with a 2-1 aggregate win over Najran – kept their hopes of AFC Champions League football in 2014 in their own hands.
Bani Yas were initially facing a mad dash home for their crucial clash with neighbours Al Jazira, originally scheduled for Saturday. However, the Pro League has accepted the club’s request to postpone the game and will now face Luis Milla’s men on Monday.
While qualification for the Champions League is of top priority to the club, Wilhelmsson would not give up a chance of silverware.
“Of course it’s a little bit of a distraction when you have these kind of games, but again it’s these games that you want to play,” the Sweden international told Sport360°.
“You want to reach the final, you want to have a good result and win titles, so it gives you motivation and confidence as well.”
The 33-year-old admits he knew little of the Gulf competition on his arrival in the UAE in January, but his experience in the AFC equivalent with Al Hilal has taught him that an away goal will be vital.
“In these types of games an away goal is very important,” he added. “We had a combination of luck and skill in the semi-final that we made it because we didn’t score an away goal, and you’re always a little bit vulnerable when you don’t score away and you come to your field and you need to score. That’s what we hope for, that we can get a goal over there.”
Khor will have only three days to prepare for the first leg, given the deciding game of their last four def-eat of compatriots Al Kharitiyath was postponed until Tuesday.
“It’s no problem for them as they play in Doha again,” Bani Yas caretaker coach Salem Ali Al Orafi said.
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