Al Wasl players attend a training session ahead of their match against Al Jazira.

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Leaders Sharjah will look to maintain their stranglehold on the top of the table when they take on Bani Yas in a tenth round match of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Thursday.

Sharjah are still unbeaten in the league and have accumulated 23 points form their nine games with seven wins and two draws.

A total of three matches will be played on the first day of the tenth round. In the other matches of the day, Hatta meet Al Dhafra at the Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium and Al Wasl welcome Al Jazira at the Zabeel Satdium.

Sharjah coach Abdulaziz Al Anbari is confident of racking up another victory to extend their lead at the top of the standings.

“Bani Yas are in good form of late and they have been playing a result-oriented and aggressive football. We realise the importance of the match and look to collect all three points to extend our lead,” said Anbari.

Bani Yas are coming into the match on the back of two consecutive wins, having beaten Hatta 3-0 and Al Ain 4-1 in their ninth and eighth round matches respectively.

He also apprised about the injuries of the players and their probable replacement.

“We will miss the services of defender Salem Sultan, who will not be available for the match after accumulating two yellow cards.

“Abdullah Ghanem, who has been in the reckoning for quite a while, will replace him. We have great confidence in him that he will be able to fill in for Sultan,” added Anbari.

“We have a excelleent group of players who are able to compensate for any absence and they are prepared to participate at any time,” concluded Anbari.

Sharjah’s Brazilian player Luan Pereira said: “We are working hard and intensively in preparation for Bani Yas match. They are a strong team but we have hope to return with all three points.

“I am happy with the praise and support I have, and I feel that I am doing better than what I did last season, and that is due to the harmony with the team and the coach's confidence that drives me to work hard," he added.

Meanwhile, Al Wasl will seek a turnaround in the fortunes with the appointment of new Brazilian coach Odair Hellmann, who was unveiled on Sunday.

Al Wasl are at the ninth spot in the table with 12 points form nine games. They have lost five and four games so far.

Hellmann was full of adulation for Al Wals and described them as a strong team. He exuded confidence in his players. He vowed to turn Al Wasl into a winning unit.

“The team have great quality of players, with time a new Al Wasl will appear soon,” claimed Hellmann.

“We have high-quality and distinguished players, and they have the desire to achieve championship title,” said the Brazilian ahead of his first match.

“I spoke with many Brazilian players and coaches, before coming to Dubai, and everyone assured me that it is an ancient club and has enormous potential.

“I am aware of the successful course of the Brazilians with the team, and I hope to add a new chapter that will be perpetuated in the history of Al Wasl,” he wished.

Al Jazira coach Marcel Keizer admitted to be unaware of his Hellmann’s coaching style and his tactics.

“Earlier we had an idea of Al Wasl’s playing style but with the new coach we are totally blank about what kind of strategy he is going to use against us. It will take a little while before we come to know his style of coaching,” said Keizer.