Shabab Al Ahli must be 'mentally strong' against Al Ain as they eye sixth Pro League Cup

Shabab Al Ahli manager Mahdi Ali has urged his players to be “mentally strong” ahead of their Pro League Cup final against Al Ain at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The Dubai club go into the game on the back of a hectic fixture list, having played six matches across three weeks in Saudi Arabia to qualify for the Asian Champions League Round of 16.

They also had to face Al Ain in the Adnoc Pro League on their return and, having lost 1-0 in that game on April 30, they meet the same opponent in a cup final four days later.

“It has been a very busy schedule but the important thing is we qualified for the Round of 16 in the continental championship,” Mahdi Ali said at the pre-match conference on Tuesday.

“Of course, physically it has been tough for the players but they need to be mentally sharp when we meet Al Ain. If you are mentally strong, you can deal with the physical aspect of the game.

“We are in a final and this the only title we can win this season. Al Ain is a strong side but I believe our team is equally good to match them.

“We had a lot of issues at the beginning of the season, dealing with injuries and late registration. We have now reached a good level and we have got momentum on our side.”

Shabab Al Ahli players training ahead of the Pro League Cup final. Photo: UAE Pro League

Shabab Al Ahli are chasing a sixth Cup title and should be nearly at full strength for the clash, although Mahdi Ali will have to make calls on players with injury and fatigue issues before deciding on his starting XI.

He said midfielder Majed Hassan has not fully recovered from an injury he sustained in the Asian Champions League but Argentinian Federico Cartabia is back in the training and will have a fitness test