Al Wahda coach Jose Peseiro has challenged his team to achieve fourth place in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), but has also not ruled out their title bid.
The home side put on a strong display but could not find the net after Ismail Matar and Sebastian Tagliabue missed opportunities in their 0-0 draw against AGL leaders Al Ahli on Friday.
It is a result that leaves Peseiro’s side 11 points off Al Ahli after 15 matches. Al Wahda’s last AGL defeat came against former champions Al Jazira in November, and the side has since picked up 14 points in the league.
Peseiro said: “This game (against Al Ahli) was an important game for me because we want to fight for the top. For that we needed more than two points. Until it’s possible, we will fight for the top position. It’s difficult for sure to reach the top.
“The minimum is fourth position because we can fight for the title.”
Meanwhile, Al Ahli assistant coach Catalin Raducan insists his team remain confident of their league chances despite being lucky to escape the Al Nayhan Stadium with a draw.
The league leaders, whose head coach Cosmin Olaroiu is serving a six-month touchline ban, have 33 points, three ahead of second-placed Al Shabab.
“In this moment we are in a good position," Raducan said. "The other teams in this league must look at what we do. We must only concentrate on ourselves and the way we play.
“When all the teams want to play Al Ahli, they don’t give 100 per cent, they give 150 per cent. We know that opponents look at Al Ahli as very important games.”
