Arabian Gulf League fixtures released: Al Ain begin title defence against Al Dhafra

Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain begin their campaign against Al Dhafra. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Al Ain will kick off their Arabian Gulf League title defence at home to Al Dhafra after the fixtures list for the 2015/16 was released on Sunday night.

While exact dates for the first round of matches are yet to be finalised, the new season will begin August 20-22.

Al Ain will face their first big test in the second round when they travel to a resurgent Al Wasl, whose late season push saw the Dubai club finish sixth in the table.

Round 3 will play host to two derbies when last year’s runners-up Al Jazira host fellow Abu Dhabi side Al Wahda, while Al Nasr will travel to Dubai rivals Al Wasl. Both return fixtures will be contested in the 16th round.

A first battle between last season’s top two will take place in Round 7 when Al Ain face Al Jazira, with the corresponding match scheduled for Round 20.

Al Ahli, the 2014 champions, face a tough run of fixtures starting in Round 9 when they host Al Jazira before travelling to Al Ain, and ending with a home game against Al Nasr — the team they lost to in the President’s Cup final — in Round 11.

Once dates are confirmed, we will update accordingly.

MORE ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE NEWS

ROUND 1 FIXTURES

Dibba v Al Wahda, Fujairah Stadium

Al Shabab v Sharjah, Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium

Al Jazira v Al Wasl, Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium

Al Ain v Al Dhafra, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium

Al Nasr v Emirates, Al Maktoum Stadium

Al Ahli v Fujairah, Rashid Stadium

Al Shaab v Baniyas, Khaled Bin Mohamed Stadium

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