Al Ahli depart Dubai for China ahead of Asian Champions League final second leg

Al Ahli players board the plane ahead of their flight to China. ©Twitter / @AlAhliClub

The Al Ahli squad have left Dubai for China ahead of the Asian Champions League final second leg with Guangzhou Evergrande.

Having drawn the first leg 0-0 at the Rashid Stadium, the contest remains in the balance ahead of the encounter at Tianhe Stadium on November 21.

Al Ahli posted a series of photos on the club’s official Twitter account as members of the squad are seen boarding a plane bound for China.

[Al Ahli and Guangzhou Evergrande settle for first leg stalemate – in pictures]

“On Saturday, the first team boarded a private plane for Guangzhou for a training camp,” Al Ahli announced on the club website.

“Coach Cosmin Olaroiu and the players will begin their preparations for the final on November 15 and will be joined by teammates on international duty on November 18.”

Among the players in the initial squad are Brazilian playmaker Everton Ribeiro and striker Rodrigo Lima, who’s stunning start to life at Al Ahli includes 12 goals.

Al Ahli are the first UAE club to reach the Asian Champions League final in 10 years, after Al Ain in 2005, and are aiming to emulate their domestic rivals when they won the title in 2003.

[John McAuley: Big effort from Al Ahli's little guy Ismail Al Hammadi adds spark in ACL final]

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE