Comeback Clash: Sousa and Razovic Ready to Fire UAE Pro League After International Break

Return to action in the ADNOC Pro League

Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, who guides Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, stressed the importance of Friday’s Week 6 clash with Ittihad Kalba at Kalba Club Stadium as the ADNOC Pro League resumes after the international break, with the UAE national team involved in the Asian playoff hopes for the 2026 World Cup.

Several Shabab Al-Ahli players are with national duty, while others are resting and recovering, preparing to rejoin the club in the upcoming phase. Sousa framed the match as a critical test for a squad still growing in cohesion after the lengthy pause.

“A big challenge,” he noted, outlining the difficulty of choosing the starting group when many players are returning from travel and not yet at full rhythm. He warned that Kalba, a stubborn foe on their home turf, will not be an easy opponent.

During the press conference, the coach added that facing a strong and stubborn team on their ground has previously posed problems, and Kalba’s blend of experienced players makes this a demanding fixture. He stressed that Shabab Al-Ahli is evolving tactically and remains positive about continued improvements in players’ capabilities during the near future.

He underlined the need for sustained focus from start to finish and for the team to be more efficient in creating chances and converting them into goals, aiming to secure all three points.

To the club’s supporters, Sousa issued a clear request for a strong turnout. “We need extra motivation from our fans to back the players,” he said, hoping the stands will echo with positive energy that helps the players cope with the rigors of competition and travel demands.

In closing, he reiterated the importance of a large, positive crowd, noting that fan support can significantly influence the outcome and help the team overcome challenges ahead.

“Important match,” Razovic, Kalba’s coach, responded. “We face a very important test against one of the league’s best teams, which is enjoying a productive spell this season.”

He added that the game at home provides a timely opportunity to assess Kalba’s level and continue refining performance. All players are ready, and Razovic is confident the squad will push hard for a favorable result after Friday’s fixture.

Kaiki, a Shabab Al-Ahli player, emphasized the collective grasp of the fixture’s significance, noting that returning after the break will require top effort to maintain momentum and climb the table. He urged supporters across the country to fill the stands, believing the home crowd’s energy will lift the team in search of victory.

“A key match for us,” goalkeeper Sultan Al-Mandari of Kalba commented, highlighting the post-break need to maintain positive momentum and extend the team’s good run. He insisted the squad is fully prepared for a demanding week and that Kalba’s form will be tested by a proved competitor.

As the standings sit, Shabab Al-Ahli occupy fourth place with 10 points, three behind leaders and two adrift of the second-placed team, Kalba sitting third on goal difference. The Blues have scored four goals and conceded one this season, while Kalba have struck seven and yielded four over five matches.

With the teams eager to restart with vigor, the Friday clash promises technical battles, sprint duels, and strategic moves under the UAE night sky. Expect a contest that tests depth, determination, and the nerve to grind out three points when it matters most.

Humor time: If this match were a keyboard shortcut, it would be Ctrl+Alt+Goal—all the power you need to reboot the league’s tempo. And if the crowd’s energy were a Wi‑Fi signal, this stadium would be buffering with pure excitement. Sniper punchline incoming: If clean sheets were currency, these two would be minted, and the bank would still refuse to cash the corner flags. Two teams, one big checkbook and a lot of running shoes.”