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Dubai: President's Cup winners Al Ahli are fighting against time as they start targetting a rare "double" this season.
Al Ahli, comfortable 2-0 winners against defending champions Al Wasl to take a sixth title late on Monday, are scheduled to play former league champions Al Ain in the 18th week of the etisalat UAE First Division League on Saturday.
Though this is the 18th round of the league, Al Ahli have played one match less in the competition along with Al Wasl, Al Wahda and Al Shaab.
"There is no time to relax from now on," coach Ivan Hasek told Gulf News as he led the squad through a late-night training session yesterday. "Al Ain are a strong side and we are fully aware that we cannot take anything for granted against any of the teams from now on," cautioned the Czech.
Mathematically, Al Ahli are one of the four teams considered serious contenders for the 2008-'09 league title. Al Shabab are the current leaders with 33 points, while Al Jazira is in second with 31, Sharjah in third with 29 followed by Al Ahli in fourth with 28 points.
"There have been some players who have not had any action during our team's President's Cup triumph. We need to pay attention to them," Hasek added.
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