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Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda, currently suffering their worst form in a decade, begin a fresh campaign in the Asian Champions League in Syria tomorrow, hoping to reverse their dip in fortunes.
Al Wahda, last year's semifinalists in the continent's premier football event, carry some very poor form to their opening match in Group C of the AFC Champions League against 2006 runners-up Al Karama.
Two coaches have lost their jobs and a few foreign professionals have also come and gone as Abu Dhabi's crack outfit have baffled their supporters, losing seven matches in the ongoing First Division League and find themselves just above the relegation zone.
However, after yesterday's training in Homs, Syria, the base of the Al Karama Club, Abdullah Naser Al Junaibi, Head of the visiting team delegation said: "Right now we are trying to focus on the Asian championship. The players are trying to forget what happened in the last match against Sharjah. We did play very well but luck was not with us."
Different level
"This is a different level of competition and we are hoping that a good performance here will start our recovery. We have a lot of football left in the season, both in the domestic competition as well as in this Asian championship."
The last time Al Wahda came to Homs, they were the favourites but it was the unknown Al Karama who toppled them 2-1 and then went on to make it to the final. Tomorrow, Al Wahda may be taking the field as the outsider, particularly after seven losses in the First Division League, including four consecutive losses in the run-up to this match.
But the Abu Dhabi club is loaded with talent. Led by Esmail Mattar, the side boasts UAE national team players Mohammad Shehhi, Haider Allo Ali, Basheer Saeed, Abdullah Al Nooby, while Moroccan goalkeeper Nadir Lamyghri returns for the Asian event. Brazilian duo of Josel Darusha and Andreas Luciano (Binga) are the other two professionals and will be hoping to bring Al Wahda back to winning ways.
"Al Karama are also a very strong team. They have many players who play for the Syrian national team. However, a winning start here will set us back on track," said Al Junaibi.
The Al Wahda team had a workout yesterday at the match venue and will again train today under the eyes of caretaker coach Ahmad Abdul Halim.
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