Al Ain boss Zlatko Dalic has urged his side to realise their dream of reaching the final of the AFC Champions League for the first time in more than a decade.
However their Qatari opponents El Jaish will do everything in their power to ensure what would be a crucial away win at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. The Soldiers have already inflicted a pair of defeats in Group B but Dalic remains confident and vigilant in fancying the Garden City’s chances.
Ahead of the opening semi-final fixture, Sport360 picks out five significant battles that could settle the tie’s entirety.
ISMAIL AHMED VS ROMARINHO
The UAE centre-back had rings run around him by Romarinho in the Group D meetings, but he comes into this match in solid form. Only the quick feet shown in a fine weekend goal by the Brazilian could unsettle him.
LEE MYUNG-JOO VS. SEYDOU KEITA
Keita’s timeless ability in midfield was on show during the second leg of the quarter-final, breezing through Al Nasr’s ranks before pinging a 30-yard ball to Romarinho to score. Anchorman Lee will need all his energy to quieten him.
OMAR ABDULRAHMAN VS. MOHAMMAD MOTHNANI
‘Amoory’ has begun 2016/17 in fine fettle, his majestic playmaking skills on show for club and country. Direct opponent Mothnani likes to push on from deep, but he will need to curb this to stand any chance of winning this battle.
CAIO VS YOUSEF MUFTAH
It is easy to feel sorry for Muftah. Forward Caio has been exceptional since joining Al Ain, scoring in his last four games and providing assists. The right-back is yet to be capped by Qatar and this lack of calibre should be telling in Al Ain.
DOUGLAS VS LUCAS MENDES
This should define the course of the tie. Striker Douglas returned to his best at the weekend with a hat-trick after several abject games. Centre-back Mendes cannot afford to struggle like he did against Nasr’s Wanderley.