Sharjah look to extend lead, Kalba face Al Nasr

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Sharjah will look to consolidate their position on the top of the table at the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) with victory over Al Jazira on Thursday. Sharjah are in stellar form and have lost just one match in the league so far. They are sitting nicely on the top with five victories from six games.

Sharjah coach Abdulaziz Al Anbari is hopeful of carrying on the winning momentum against Al Jazira.

He said: “Preparations are good and we hope to make a good match with our brothers in Al Jazira. We will not be affected by the absence of the players. It is an important game and we hope to come out with a positive result.”

Anbari is wary of Al Jazira, who have shown a remarkable resurgence after a slow start.

“We expected from the beginning that Al Jazeera will go strength to strength from one game to another and this is what happened and we know that the game is difficult for both teams.”

Anbari confirmed that they are fortunate to have both Sharjah players Brazilian Igor Kornado and Al Jazira’s Omar Abdul Rahman in the upcoming match.

“We will do our best to produce a positive result. We are fortunate to have Igor and Amuri in this game. I am happy for the return of Omar to our league, He is an important player for Al Jazira and we hope Igor continues with his strong form.”

Sharjah striker Abdullah Ghanem also described Al Jazira match as an important game for both the teams.

“It is going to be an important match for both teams and we are ready for the match. Ali Mabkhout and Omar are special players and I am ready to face them with my colleagues in the match.”

In the other match of the day, a resurgent Kalba will look to extend their winning streak against Al Nasr after beating Bani Yas in the last game while Al Ain take on Bani Yas.

Kalba coach Jorge Dasilva said he was satisfied with the preparations for the match.

“We are raring to go and preparations are under way for the match. We are in perfect shape as there are no injuries and no absentees in the match. We got more training time this time around unlike last week. I expect it to be a tough game for both the sides. Al Nasr are at their best in the recent period. They have good players like Alvaro Negredo,” he added.

“We will try to thwart Al Nasr’s players from passing the ball to their attackers. I watched several games of Al Nasr and analysed their way of playing well. I have been talking to the guys about Al Nasr’s strategy of playing throughout the week.”

He also urged his players to put up a strong show against Al Nasr.

“I want my team to show and perform what is required of them. We have to learn a lesson from the second-half of the last game against Bani Yas.

“We must avoid the mistakes made by the players in the last game that would negatively affect the outcome. With the concentration, strong performance and fighting spirit on the pitch we will reap a positive result,” he concluded.