Al Shabab’s reprieve for Friday’s Arabian Gulf Cup final has handed them the chance to salvage a sorry season, according to forward Henrique Luvannor.
The Hawks finished a fine third in the Arabian Gulf League last term and lifted the GCC Club Cup.
A sole bright point of a dismal 2015/16 came when their AG Cup semi-final conquerors, Al Ahli, were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player and any lingering doubt over Shabab’s participation in the showpiece ended yesterday as the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed the Red Knights’ complaint.
Moldova international Luvannor, 25, promised to make the most of this shot at salvation during the clash at Al Maktoum Stadium.
He said: “I am very motivated for the final and I want to take another trophy with Al Shabab. This is our chance to save our season; we are ready, and I think this final is very important for us for this reason.”
Shabab lost January 19’s semi-final 3-2, only for issues with Ahli new boy and late substitute Khamis Esmail’s registration to emerge in the following days. A long-winded process saw the UAE Football Association impose a 3-0 defeat as punishment on the top-flight leaders, with subsequent appeals to the domestic governing body’s disciplinary committee and CAS – the highest sporting court – being rejected.
The situation has led to a confused build-up for Javier Aguirre’s Wahda, who beat Al Wasl 2-1 in their last-four tie. The Abu Dhabi-side have never lifted the AG Cup, most recently claiming silverware with the 2009/10 league title.
A talented team was in red-hot form before the international break, summer signing and ex-Arsenal midfielder Denilson one of their standout players.
“It will certainly be a tough match and we will go to the Al Maktoum Stadium with the intention of winning,” the 28-year-old said. “To win the Arabian Gulf Cup would mean a lot to me, especially as I left Brazil with the ambition to achieve titles with Al Wahda – so I will give my best to reach this goal.”
Opponents Shabab have won the AG Cup once before in 2010/11, with the tournament their last shot at glory after early elimination from the President’s Cup.