Al Wasl interim coach Hassan Al Abdouli will battle a familiar face when he makes his Arabian Gulf League debut on Wednesday against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.

The ex-UAE assistant was promoted on Friday night immediately after Gustavo Quinteros’ miserable five-month reign was ended by an unforgiveable 3-1 defeat in the Bur Dubai derby to Al Nasr.

A daunting bow awaits against opponents now led by Rodolfo Arruabarrena. The ex-Argentina left-back secured two-successive top-three finishes for the Cheetahs, before his contract was shockingly not extended in May.

“We will do our best to deliver a performance that enables us to win,” said Al Abdouli. “Al Wasl is my home and I care about working hard to overcome this phase.”

Arruabarrena, who kicked off on Friday with a 1-0 win at Dibba Al Fujairah, knew what to expect.

He said: “Al Wasl includes players of experience and foreigners of a high level of technical competence.”