Al Jazira’s AFC Champions League exit will not derail their bid to go clear at the top of the Arabian Gulf League tonight, according to coach Eric Gerets.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi failed to make the group stages of the continent’s elite club competition for a seventh-successive season after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Bunyodkor in freezing Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
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An opportunity for immediate redemption has been provided by Al Ain’s shock 1-0 loss on Thursday at Fujairah, meaning victory tonight at home to Dhafra will put Gerets’ men three points clear – although they will have played a game more than the Boss.
Al Wahda will also be looking to overcome their midweek ACL exit when they travel to Sharjah on Saturday night. The game will be a special one for new boss Sami Al Jaber, with the Saudi Arabia legend taking his top-flight bow after succeeding Jose Peseiro last week.
“I am delighted to go to the first match in the Arabian Gulf League. We have worked during the period [since the dramatic penalty-shootout loss to Qatar’s Al Sadd] on many tactical aspects.”
Elsewhere, Al Shabab will hope to close on the leaders when they entertain bottom-placed Kalba.