Abu Dhabi rivals Al Wahda and Al Ain clash in crucial UAE Pro League title showdown.
Dubai: The Abu Dhabi derby between Al Wahda and Al Ain could have significant implications for the ADNOC Pro League title race, with both teams aware that a win on Sunday would boost their hopes of reaching the top of the standings.
Depending on the weekend’s other results, either side could climb to first place with three points at Al Nahyan Stadium. Al Ain currently sit fourth with 13 points, while Al Wahda are just one point behind in fifth.
Both clubs are also chasing league leaders Al Jazira, who have collected 14 points. With the UAE Pro League season comprising only 26 matches, Al Wahda midfielder Adam Gnezda Čerin believes every point is crucial, making Sunday’s encounter particularly important.
“Especially in this league where there are only 26 games,” said the Slovenia international. “Every point you lose, it’s a big point. So, these three points will be enormous for us and will take us very close to the top. That will be a big step for us.”
Čerin was speaking on Friday at ADNOC’s flagship Station 933 on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, alongside Al Ain forward Houssine Rahimi, ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
The 27-year-old joined Al Wahda this summer from Greek club Panathinaikos and is set to experience his first Abu Dhabi derby. He is, however, familiar with high-stakes rivalry matches, having featured in Greece’s fiercely contested Derby of the Eternal Enemies between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
“These games are special games,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you are in the table and which team is on form, these games are separate. I expect a nice game on Sunday, and it would mean a lot for us, for the fans and for the club to win.”
The midfielder also stressed that controlling the centre of the pitch would be vital to Al Wahda’s performance.
“Midfield is the heart of the team, so I hope that we’ll keep it stable and that the team will be very compact, not allowing Al Ain to perform at their best level,” he said.
Rahimi, meanwhile, is determined to help Al Ain sustain their push for the title. The defending champions have made a strong start to the campaign, with the Moroccan forward scoring twice in four league appearances.
“For all the teams, they are competing for the title at the moment. We hope we can win and keep playing our part until the end,” said Rahimi. “It would be a great feeling. It is always special to win the derby.”
Al Ain will be without Rahimi’s brother and fellow forward Soufiane, who is recovering from a thigh injury. The 24-year-old spoke about the important role his brother plays in his life and career.
“Soufiane is a wonderful part of my life. He is my brother and we play for the same team. He is a good person who helps me a lot, both on and off the pitch,” Rahimi said. “I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he returns to us as soon as possible.”
Beyond the football rivalry, the players’ appearance at the ADNOC station also highlighted the role of sport and healthy habits in everyday life. ADNOC renewed its sponsorship of the Pro League in May for a further three years, extending the partnership through to 2029.
The company also backs several sporting events, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, Al Ain Half Marathon and Al Dhannah 10km race, as part of its efforts to encourage active lifestyles and bring communities together.
“Anything positive is good and anything healthy that becomes part of your DNA will help you a lot,” Rahimi said.
Čerin said maintaining good health and fitness was particularly important for professional players.
“Our body is our investment. We use our bodies on a daily basis. It’s crucial that you keep a healthy lifestyle, eat healthy food and sleep enough,” he said. “That’s why I think it’s very nice that ADNOC supports this kind of lifestyle.”
For both teams, however, attention is firmly on Sunday’s showdown. A victory would deliver more than derby bragging rights, potentially putting either side in a stronger position in the early stages of a closely fought title race.
