• Home
• /
• Sports
• /
• Local Sports

Al Ahli and Al Shabab aim for impressive show in new outfit

Al Ahli unveiled their new home kit for the forthcoming 2015/2016 season on Sunday - a strip they will hope to be posing in triumphantly come May.
The Red Knights won the Arabian Gulf Super Cup and reached the Asian Champions League (ACL) quarterfinals last term.
But, they relinquished their Arabian Gulf League (AGL) crown to champions Al Ain by finishing in seventh place and a considerable 22 points adrift of The Boss.
Ahli also made it through to the President's Cup final, which they lost on penalties to Al Nasr, and were knocked out early of the Arabian Gulf Cup at the group stages in 2014/2015.
Nonetheless, that campaign was one of transition in many ways for Cosmin Olaroiu's squad and - with January arrivals Kwon Kyung-won and Everton Ribeiro having now been fully integrated into the first-team fold and new signing Lima already looking a livewire, their hopes are high for much better this time around.
"Our recent training camp in Italy went really well and we all feel very confident that we're going to do very well this season," said Ahli midfielder Majed Hassan at yesterday's (Sunday's) launch event at the flagship Sun and Sand Sports store in Dubai Mall.
"We feel like we've improved a lot and we also have a lot of new additions to the team, so we're looking forward to the new season and making all of our fans happy. Insha'Allah (God willing), we'll do very well this season."
Winger Ismail Al Hammadi added: "We're hoping for the best and - hopefully - we'll win all of the titles on offer, including the cup and the league."
Meanwhile, Ahli's arch-rivals across the Al Qusais/Al Mamzar divide, Al Shabab, unveiled their new Umbro number on exactly the same day.
The design is much the same as those that adorn the English Premier League clubs and other professional sides that Umbro supplies all around the world.
However, a few distinctive touches have been loyally maintained to reflect Al Shabab's tradition, such as the prominence of the club's Hawk logo and their green and white home-kit colours.
In terms of the advanced technology behind the aesthetic style, the design 'ensures performance and comfort' owing to 'a wrap-over collar with a high stretch rib' and 'laser-cut holes' at the back of the jersey that provide 'much-needed ventilation to combat the Arabian Gulf's hot climate.' The shorts also feature 'mesh-insert panel seams for further breathability and freedom of movement.'
"Al Shabab fans are extremely dedicated and we want our fans to be proud of their team and the way they look and perform on the field," said Shabab's chief executive officer (CEO) Matar Suroor.
"Decking the team out in a high-quality, professional kit also reflects the fact that we're playing world-class professional football. Our players are equally excited to kick off the season with a sharp, new look."
Shabab supporters wishing to purchase the adult and children-sized new Umbro kit can head to Stadium stores in Deira City Centre, Dubai Mall and Dubai Festival City Mall, as well as Intersports at Al Ghurair Centre.
The Shabab jersey retails at Dh125 for juniors and Dh150 for adults.
alex@khaleejtimes.com