Al-Shabab host Al-Ahli at the SHG Arena in Riyadh on Friday in the twelfth round of Roshn League fixtures. Ahead of the home game, Al-Shabab boss Thomas Letsch said his side aspire to win.
Letsch addresses the match
GOAL reported that Letsch addressed the clash at a press conference reported by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. Letsch said: "Al-Ahli are a strong team, they are the champions of Asia and are competing for the league title, but we aspire to win and we will do our utmost."
Preparation and recent results
Letsch said: "The preparations are good and the feeling is nice, especially after the wins in the recent matches and collecting 7 points in 3 matches." He also said: "The team has improved after the break, especially after the preparation period we carried out during the FIFA days."
Al-Shabab have played three matches in the Roshn League since the last international break, beating Al-Taawoun and Al-Fateh and drawing with Al-Faisaly.
Squad availability
Letsch said: "The positive thing is the presence of all the players during the group training sessions, with the exception of Hammam Al-Hammami." He added: "There are 25 players in training in addition to three goalkeepers, and selecting the line-up is always difficult."
Standings and home advantage
Al-Shabab sit twelfth in the Saudi League on 11 points, from two wins, five draws and three defeats. Al-Ahli occupy fifth with 21 points from seven wins and three defeats, six points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
Letsch said: "Al-Shabab will make use of the factors of home ground and the crowd. It is true that we lost to Al-Hilal, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Khaleej, and on paper Al-Ahli are the favourites, but Al-Shabab also have a chance, and we will do our utmost to collect the three points."