UAE Cup Final - Al Ain vs Al Shabab

Found another interesting game today. Al Ain will take on Al Shabbab in the Uae Cup Final. The game will start at 16:45 CET

Al Shabab will not just be up against a strong team like Al Ain but also also against a sea of Al Ain fans when they lock horns in the Etisalat Cup final at the Zayed Sports City on Friday night.

And Al Shabab coach Paulo Bonamigo reiterated that point and felt that the game should have been played in a neutral venue. “Today, you see an Abu Dhabi team playing in their own home. This is one detail that can decide the game. A lot of things can influence the result of the match. We are well prepared and we know that we are going to face a lot of fans supporting Al Ain.

We know that this is not the only one point that can influence the game. How the players prepare emotionally for the game and a lot of factors will influence the result and we have to overcome any and everything that comes in front of us.

No doubt we would like to play in Dubai. Our records are much better and we believe we deserve to play in Dubai. But let’s go and play,” Gallo said on Thursday.

About the final, he said: “Both teams have reached this stage because they were excellent and they played good matches and the final is going to be a good game. Both teams are being coached by Brazilian coaches and both clubs have a good tradition of playing final games. We will see a brilliant match because both sides are looking to play good football. So, it will be a nice game,” he said.

Al Ain coach Alexander Gallo and Bonamigo have played against each other in the Brazilian League. Gallo played for Santos, while Bonamigo has played for Gremio and Internacional.

Bonamigo said that goalkeeper Hasan will replace Saleh for the final. “Hasan is more experienced than Salah and we are playing a final and I am looking forward to experienced players,” said Bonamigo.

Al Shabab are third in the standings in the UAE Pro-League. “Tomorrow is a different game and it is a 50-50 chance for both teams. Al Ain are playing the AFC Champions League and we are playing in the League. This is a different competition and game and what we have to look for is to try and stop Al Ain and their best players. We need to explore strategies to get to them. Al Ain are a big club and we are used to playing them in finals and we have full respect for the club,” he said.

But, Al Ain have lost many great players this season and they fight to avoid relegation in the league, while Al Shabab are on 3rd place. The problem is that they don't have chances to advance any further and will try to win the cup to make something out of this season. The players are determined and they slowed the pace in the last league game to prepare better for this one.

The game is played in Abu Dhabi, so there is no home advantage for either of the teams. We think that Al Shabab can win and will win the cup today. Odds around 2.00 can be found and worth 5 units.