Former players consider that the repercussions of "Corona" weaken their chances ... and confirm:
UAE clubs complete the AFC champions to "perform their duty"
Shabab Al-Ahly and Saudi Hilal during the second round of the group stage.
Photography: Osama Abu Ghanem
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Former players confirmed that the chances of the four Arab Gulf League clubs participating in the AFC Champions League, namely Sharjah, Shabab Al-Ahly, Al-Ain and Al-Wahda, are weak in skipping the group stage, due to the repercussions of the new Corona virus pandemic, which contributed to the cancellation of the league and the President's Cup for the past season, and not all UAE clubs have no official match for six months, which reduces their chances of facing competitors whose local competitions have not been canceled, and is more ready in all aspects.
They told "Emirates Today" that the Emirati clubs will complete the group stage competitions with the aim of "performing the duty", explaining that the weak start in the first two rounds with the loss of Shabab Al-Ahly and Al-Ain twice each, and Sharjah's obtaining one point, will negatively affect its chances of qualifying for the round of 16, While they indicated that the unit is the favorite to skip the group stage, after receiving four points in the first two rounds.
Saudi clubs
For his part, former Al Ain player, Jumah Khater, said that the indicators that precede the completion of the group stage competitions for the continental championship do not herald any positive opportunity for the Emirati clubs, especially since the four clubs have not prepared in the required manner to compete in this important tournament.
He added, "I see that Saudi clubs are the most ready in the tournament, especially with the completion of the domestic league, in addition to the good levels of foreign players in each team, in addition to the fact that other clubs in the tournament are more ready and better than our clubs."
He pointed out that holding matches without the presence of the public makes the balance tied between all clubs, while stressing that the physical readiness of each team will determine the results of the matches, as unfortunately the Emirati clubs are significantly less in the level of readiness than other clubs, he said.
Duty
On the other hand, the former Al-Jazira player, Youssef Abdel Aziz, said that it is realistic that the four clubs will play the AFC Champions League matches in order to fulfill their duty and complete the remaining four rounds in the group stage.
He explained: “Luck may be with some clubs in some matches, but in reality it is very difficult to have a great focus on the continental championship, especially since all players have not played any official match for six months, which will negatively affect their performance on the stadium, and make it difficult. It is their mission to keep up with competitors ».
He pointed out that he hopes that the Sharjah, Al-Wahda, Shabab Al-Ahly and Al-Ain clubs will go against the expectations, appear well, and achieve results worthy of the name of Emirates football.
Preparation method
For his part, the former Al Ain player, Abdullah Ali, stressed that the method of preparing the four clubs is not worthy of the name and value of a large championship such as the AFC Champions League, indicating that what it has done cannot be considered a suitable preparation for the continental championship.
He continued: "The pattern of Asian matches is completely different, and faster than domestic matches, at a time when the players of the four clubs did not prepare as required, by not playing any official matches for a long time."
He explained that Al-Wahda is the only team that has great chances of qualifying for the round of 16, as it leads the first group and is equal to Saudi Al-Ahly with four points each, while noting that the task of Al-Ahly, Al-Ain and Sharjah Youth is very difficult in all aspects.
Antar Marzouq: The four clubs did not prepare well
Antar Marzouq, the deputy technical supervisor at the Football Academy at Al-Ahly Youth Club, confirmed that it is no secret to all those who follow the Arab Gulf League clubs that the four clubs have not prepared well for the AFC Champions League competitions.
He said, "The cancellation of the Arab Gulf League results for the past season, and the postponement of the new season's competitions to next October, in addition to playing a few friendly matches that do not reflect the real level of the players, all of which are negative factors that make the four clubs face a very difficult task."
He added, "The competing clubs have fought a large number of eight or nine official matches in the past period, as happened in the Saudi League, while the coaches of the four clubs are expected to rely on the players' experience and their preparation for the local season."
Antar Marzouq:
• «Saudi clubs arm themselves to play nine official matches before completing the (Asian Champions).
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