Portuguese Rui Vitória, head coach of Al Wasl’s first football team, confirmed his team’s readiness to play the Dubai derby against Shabab Al Ahli in Round 18 of the ADNOC Pro League, which will be held at Za'abeel Stadium on Wednesday, February 25.

During the pre-match press conference, Vitória explained that the match represents an important test for the team, noting that such games motivate the players and the technical staff. He said: “It is a good game to play, a match that all players as well as the coach like to play. A very difficult and strong game, and we need this kind of matches.”

He added: “Of course, I know that the other side will be a very good team; they are in first place in the league and are having a fantastic season. But we have also started this work and we are working very well. We have won the last two matches against Al Zawra’a in AFC Champions League 2 and Al Bataeh in the league, so the confidence is also improving and increasing.”

Vitória stressed Al Wasl’s readiness for the encounter, explaining: “We are ready for the match and we want it to come. Of course, I would have liked this match to be better if we had more time between the two games, but this is a reality we have to deal with, and we will enter the match with responsibility and big ambition.”

For his part, Al Wasl player Hugo Neto confirmed the difficulty of the match against Shabab Al Ahli, stressing the players’ determination to give their maximum to achieve a positive result.

Neto said: “It will not be an easy match against Shabab Al Ahli and everyone knows that, but we will give our utmost effort in order to come out with a positive result.”

He concluded his remarks with a message to Al Wasl fans, emphasizing their major role in motivating the players, saying: “Our fans are the ones who push us to shine and win in this type of matches, and I hope to see the stadium full, which will push us to fight to make everyone who attended the stadium and supported the team happy.”