Continental Adventures for UAE Sides

I must admit that prior to 2009 the AFC Champions League was not a competition I considered myself slightly interested in and for the past two seasons I have merely checked who was still participating in the competition to determine who could be coming to Abu Dhabi for the FIFA Club World Cup. This season I will have my eyes fixed on any game involving Emirati sides - Al Wahda, Al Jazira, Al Ain and Emirates – as they attempt to become champions of Asia. Being crowned the best football team in your continent is no mean feat and the ultimate achievement in club football.

The best UAE performers in the Champions League are Al Ain who managed to win the tournament in 2003 and also were beaten finalists in 2005. Al Ain were also the best of the UAE cohort in last year’s edition of the tournament when they accumulated seven points in the group stage and narrowly missed out on progression to the next round. However expectations will be lower this time around. Al Ain have endured a torrid domestic campaign this season and are currently in a battle for survival sitting in 11^th place with only eleven points from thirteen games. Though the Etisalat Cup has provided some respite the continental competition could provide a platform for further embarrassment.

The club have been placed in the Eastern section of the Champions League and face teams from China, Japan and South Korea. Teams from Korea and Japan have historically fared better in the tournament and their national team’s domination in the Asian Cup show the gulf between football in the East and West. Al Ain play their first tie on Wednesday at 7.05pm. Their opponents will be FC Seoul from South Korea. The K-League champions include a number of international stars as well as Uzbek midfielder Server Djeparov. The former Asian Footballer of the Year scored two goals against Arab sides in January’s Asian Cup and will certainly be a player to look out for. While the Champions League may not be a priority for Al Ain right now it will still provide much need experience and should be an exciting spectacle.

Another club who will be participating to enjoy the experience of playing with the best in the continent will be last year’s President’s Cup winners Emirates. The side from Ras al Khaimah were comprehensively relegated along with Ajman last season but their 3-1 victory over Al Shabab at Zayed Sports City last April gave them a place in Asia’s top club competition. The club proudly sit at the top of Division One and gave up a good fight to Pro-League side Al Jazira in the weekend’s President’s Cup tie narrowly losing 3-2. Emirates Club travel to Iran to take on last year’s runners-up Zob Ahan on Wednesday night.

For many it will be Al Jazira, pride of Abu Dhabi, who will be the UAE’s great hope. Al Jazira are surging towards their first domestic title and welcome Al Gharafa of Qatar to the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium at 7.25pm on Tuesday. Al Gharafa defeated the Abu Dhabi club 4-2 and 2-1 in the group stage last year but Al Jazira have made significant improvements since then and have not lost a league game in over a year. The Champions League will hopefully create some exciting nights in Abu Dhabi with a stadium and fan base well suited to top quality football. Al Gharafa are graced with stars including Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud and Brazilian legend Juninho Pernambucano and will no doubt provide a stern test for Al Jazira and truly show how far they have progressed.

Last year’s Etisalat Pro-League champions Al Wahda will play Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkor. Like Al Jazira, Al Wahda faced their opponents in last year’s competition and were beaten on both occasions. Al Wahda have suffered an indifferent season but find themselves in the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions. With a talented group of players Al Wahda could pull something out of the bag but a tough group also including Iran’s Piroozi and Saudi’s Al Ittihad it may prove too much for the Abu Dhabi club. Their first game kicks off at 8pm on Wednesday at the Al Nahyan Stadium.