Al Wahda Under-15s head coach Adel Ben Tafreed says his young side face a crucial clash with Egyptian team Zamalek on Monday as the top two meet in the Zayed International Youth Cup.
The Clarets have been organising the youth tournament since 1993 and, in the 16th edition, they sit second in the table following a win and a draw from their opening two matches.
The Egyptians are top following two victories and could take a giant step towards the title if they defeat the host club in Al Shahama on Monday.
Ben Tafreed said: “The match against Zamalek will be decisive, especially because Zamalek are two points in the lead at the top. I hope the team can achieve victory.”
Wahda opened the tournament at the club’s Al Nahyan Stadium on Thursday with a 2-2 draw against Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, following that with an impressive 1-0 win against UAE rivals Bani Yas on Saturday.
Mohammed Al Zaabi was the Clarets’ hero with a wonder free-kick but he quickly turned to zero when he saw red for a clash with a Bani Yas opponent.
“Winning was somewhat difficult because of the expulsion of our player and we had to complete the last half an hour with a numerical disadvantage,” said Ben Tafreed.
“The players, however, put in a better performance. There is a harmony among them, they kept the ball well, and put pressure on the opponents.”
He was also pleased with the method of their winning goal, as he revealed his side had been concentrating on their set-pieces.
“We trained on set-pieces a lot and we know that Al Zaabi is fluent in long-range shooting,” added Ben Tafreed.
The Sky Blues sit bottom of the league table after the first two games, having suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Zamalek in their opening match on Thursday.
Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade are third on three points, level with third UAE participant Al Jazira, with Hilal fifth.
In the other third round matches on Monday, Hilal and Jazira clash while Bani Yas take on Partizan.