Al Shabab have no time for fatigue ahead of GCC Championship final

Al Shabab coach Caio Junior will lead his side into the final of the GCC Clubs Championship against Al Seeb. Sarah Dea / The National

Caio Junior, the Al Shabab coach, needs his players to shake off the effects of an exhausting month when they meet Omani club Al Seeb in the final of the GCC Clubs Championship on Wednesday night.

Shabab played six matches across three competitions in the first 23 days of May.

Just 72 hours after the final in the Omani city of Al Seeb, the Brazilian’s team will be squaring off against Dubai rivals Al Nasr in the semi-final of the President’s Cup.

“The staff has been working really hard to help the players get rid of the fatigue and get them ready for the final,” Caio Junior said.

“It is a big challenge because we have played a lot of matches in recent days and we have started to see the negative effects of this schedule on the players.

“So our focus has been on recovery. But I am confident my players will give their all, like they have done right through this season.

“I have said in the past our biggest strength is our spirit; we fight as one, as a group.”

Seeb have played one more match than their opponents this month, five of them in the Omani league, where they have finished at the bottom of the table and will play in the second division next season.

The GCC Clubs Championships, then, is an opportunity for the Omanis to salvage something from the season.

Caio Junior has warned his players against taking their opponents lightly.

Shabab and Seeb were in the same group for the start of the tournament and the Dubai side won 3-1 in Oman and 4-0 at home, but Caio Junior said: “That result is in the past. This is a different Seeb team and they have reached the final, so we need to respect them and stay focused right through.”

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