GUANGZHOU, CHINA // Cosmin Olaroiu said his Al Ahli side will not be burdened by playing in front of a hostile crowd against Guangzhou Evergrande on Saturday in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final.
The UAE club, aiming to become only the second Emirati team to win the continent’s premier club competition, go into the encounter at the Tianhe Stadium with the tie evenly balanced following the 0-0 draw at the Rashid Stadium two weeks ago.
The stalemate in Dubai means, should Ahli score a vital away goal, then Guangzhou will require at least two to lift the title for the second time in three years.
The Chinese club enter the match as strong favourites, since they are vastly experienced in the Champions League and only last month secured a fifth consecutive domestic title.
READ MORE
Gritty Al Ahli underdogs but no pushovers for Asian Champions League final second leg
This weekend, they will be backed by a sold-out 50,000-strong crowd.
However, Olaroiu said Ahli will take heart from previous away assignments this campaign, having defeated Naft Tehran 1-0 in the quarter-final first leg and then held Al Hilal to a 1-1 draw in Saudi Arabia in the opening semi-final encounter.
“We have played in Iran and in Riyadh against Al Hilal, where we had a full stadium with a lot of pressure,” Olaroiu said.
“So I hope the players will enjoy playing in a full stadium and the supporters of Guangzhou will not affect them.
“It is a pleasure and it does not happen every time, and that is why we have to enjoy it. I am sure they will not be afraid and they will play a good game.”
Ahli, contesting the final for the first time, trained in Guangzhou last night knowing they are without Abdulaziz Haikal for the return leg.
The full-back was sent off towards the conclusion of the initial fixture for a slap on Guangzhou’s Gao Lin.
It is likely that Walid Abbas will take his place on the left-hand side of defence.
READ MORE
Ahmed Khalil and Omar Abdulrahman shortlisted for AFC Player of the Year
Abdulaziz Sanqour will most probably be switched to right-back.
“We have Haikal suspended, who was playing very well in the previous game but unfortunately made a mistake and he has to pay the price,” Olaroiu said. “We have another player who can replace him and I hope we don’t feel this in our defence.
“Our strategy was not just to not concede goals in the first leg – it was one of the points we were looking for – but when you play you want to win and take an advantage.
“Unfortunately we didn’t score, but at least we hit one of the targets, which was to not concede a goal.
“Now we know to win the trophy we have to score, and this will be our main target in this game.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE