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Abu Dhabi: Al Wasl and Al Ahli, the two football giants of Dubai are here in the capital to not only battle for the pride of winning the 2008 President's Cup but also to claim the winner's cheque of Dh5 million and a berth in next year's AFC Champions League, the continent's premier club competition.
Al Wasl, the defending champions, and Al Ahli, who have never lost a President's Cup final in six appearances are set to provide a fascinating battle at the Zayed Sports City Stadium which is expected to be a divided house with the yellow and red colours of the two teams.
Al Wasl coach Ze Mario and Al Ahli coach Ivan Hasek played down their respective team's chances during yesterday's press conference and later were locked in a long, friendly conversation but when the two teams line-up for the 5.55pm kick-off be prepared for an explosive final.
"We will miss the services of our key defender Mohammad Qasim and Adil Abdul Aziz but we also have enough talent to take care of their absence. The team is aware of the importance of this match and we are ready," said Hasek as the red-shirted Ahli side bid to end their two-year trophy drought.
With Faisal Khalil and his younger brother Ahmad Khalil in brilliant form, the latter having scored in the second round, twice in the quarterfinals against Al Wahda and again in the semis against Al Shabab, Al Ahli will be looking to dethrone the champions.
'First final'
"This is my first final with the club and I hope we can pull it off," said Hasek, whose team lost 2-3 to Al Wasl in an away match earlier in the league and were also ousted by their Dubai rivals in this competition last year.
Ze Mario's team are on a high after their 1-0 win over Kuwait Club in the AFC Champions League match on Wednesday and the Brazilian coach said his team have recovered. "We have controlled our training and after a day's rest we had a light workout the next day and the players look to have recovered. With no injury worries we are looking positively at the final," he said.
"Both teams know each other's play very well and if at all there will be any surprises it will come from some individual performances," Ze Mario added.
While history in this competition favours Al Ahli, Al Wasl, who won this prestigious trophy for only the second time after a gap of 20 years, will be looking to extend their reign.
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