Manager Manuel Jimenez admits he will face a tough task to maintain his 100 per cent record when Al Wahda meet Sharjah in the President's Cup Final on Friday.
The Spaniard has overseen victories in the Adnoc Pro League and another in the ADIB Cup since taking charge two weeks ago but understands Sharjah in the rescheduled 2021 final at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium will be on another level.
“It’s a final and altogether a different scenario from what we have been through,” Jimenez said at the pre-match conference.
“We want to be at our best for this big occasion. What matter most in this game is the end result and I wish my players will carry out their task to the best of their abilities on the pitch.”
Under Jimenez, Wahda defeated Al Nasr 4-0 and Al Ain 3-2 in the league, and overcame Kalba 2-0 in the opening round of this season's cup.
“We want to win this final for all to remember, and from my side it will be a gift I would like to dedicate for the fans on the return to the club,” Sebastian Tagliabue, who returned to the Abu Dhabi Club after a two-year spell at Nasr, said.
“Sharjah has improved significantly in recent years and will be a strong opponent, but our team has also improved tremendously as the results of the last three games suggest.
“We have also prepared well and want to be fully focused throughout the 90 minutes to win the game in the regulation time. If it goes into a penalty shoot-out, then it will be the team that has the best fortune on the night.”
Sharjah arrive having suffered their first defeat in the league. They went down to Al Wasl 1-0 at home and before that were held to a 3-3 draw by Al Jazira.
Cosmin Olaroiu’s side remain on top of the table and the Romanian manager said: “We have worked on the recovery and preparation of the players after last week’s game, although preparing for a final requires more time.
“I’m not finding excuses but face the situation and adapt quickly to reach the best possible preparedness. We have the full squad at our disposal but the concern is the fatigue of some players.”
Caio Lucas is confident playing in the final will bring new energy to the players. “This is a game the winner takes all and I hope that will be us,” the Brazilian forward said.
“It’s a final and it’s the best two teams, meaning a tough game for both teams. Wahda are a good side but we are ready to take them on and obviously want to take this prestigious title to our club.”
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
UAE%20SQUAD
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
RESULT
Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
