Abdulaziz Al Anbari calls on Sharjah to 'respect' Al Ain ahead of Arabian Gulf League clash

Champions and table-toppers take on an Al Ain side struggling down in sixth

Sharjah manager Abdulaziz Al Anbari expects a tough game against Al Ain on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sharjah manager Abdulaziz Al Anbari insists the Arabian Gulf League table-toppers will not be taking Al Ain lightly when the two teams meet at the Sharjah Stadium on Saturday.

Sharjah, the defending AGL champions, hold a three-point lead over Al Jazira at the top of the standings after 15 matches. Al Ain, meanwhile, are 12 points further back in sixth.

Despite the gulf, Al Anbari has urged his Sharjah players against complacency when they face a club that were second in the table last season before the campaign was null and voided in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are playing against a club that always demands respect of every team in any competition,” Al Anbari said of Al Ain.

“They are in the middle of the league at the moment but it doesn’t make them any weaker. It obviously is a tough game but our players are aware how important this game is for us.

“We don’t want to think too much of our opposition anyway but concentrate on our own game and win the three points.”

Al Ain manager Pedro Emanuel is aware of the dangers posed by Sharjah but believes his players can get a result if they play to the best of their abilities.

“It’s a very important game for us and we know every little detail matters in this because Sharjah possess a strong attack,” Emanuel said.

“We also have a strong attack and I have a lot of confidence we can outplay the opposition if we play true to our potential. We created some scoring opportunities in the last game and then conceded an early goal.

“However, to be fair we have been struggling with a lot of absentees during the season. Some of them haven’t played together for a long time and it resulted in the breakdown of our movements on the pitch.

“I’m not finding excuses but these are the realities. We certainly are a stronger side if we can get the combinations right, which we are very hopeful of doing against Sharjah.”