Key man
Faisal Khalil
Despite being mysteriously arrested in Dubai (along with two ‘Omani sorcerers’) after allegations involving ‘black magic’, Khalil remains perhaps the UAE’s most potent attacker. Wily, and with a nose for goal, keeping him on the pitch is perhaps their best local hope for triumphing against superior opponents.
Also look out for
Bare (aka Jader Volnei Spindler)
If in doubt, buy a Brazilian. This much-travelled striker has a pretty impressive goal-scoring record in the Japanese leagues. Al Ahli have yet to see the best of him, but that could change this season. He is a towering striker with an eye for goal who could prove an important thorn in any opponents’ side.
Ahmad Khalil
Much has been made of the UAE’s great footballing hope for the future. The attacker won Best Asian Young Player in 2008; more recently his stunning free kick for the UAE against Honduras in October earned the player known as ‘The Red Card’ a newfound reputation for his set-piece abilities. Overtures from big British clubs were rumoured all summer, but he remains an Al Ahli player for the moment.
How they got here
Al Ahli were forced to battle hard to claim their much-anticipated fifth domestic crown, edging Al Jazira in a battle that went down to the last day of the season, when they beat Al Shabab 3-1 and topped the table by just one point.
The history
Al Ahli was founded in 1970 using the name of Egypt’s most famous club (Al Ahly), which literally translates as ‘The National’. The Red Knights (as they’re known) have built up a strong presence on the domestic scene and won their first league title just five years after their establishment, before taking the following year also and then again in the 1979/1980 and 2005/2006 season before triumphing this year.
The coach
Mahdi Ali
Ali was the former youth coach of the national side. He was brought in a couple of months ago after a dismal start to the season under the Romanian Andone, who had previsouly managed FC Cluj, a team that surprised everyone in the European Champions League this year by beating Italian giants Roma. However, after a rather woeful beginning, with Al Ahli taking only four points from five games, Ali took over and has since overseen a rapid change in form.
How they’ll fair
Much depends on the talents of the Red Knights’ attacking line-up. Breaking down the more disciplined defences of the larger teams will prove testing to a side not normally used to the organisation of South American and European sides. We think they’ll do alright, though (fingers crossed).
Prediction
Gallant quarter finalists: plenty of pluck but they may fall short.
