Al Ahli striker hurt as City clash looms

United Arab Emirates champions Al Ahli returned to their better form with a deserved 3-0 win over lowly Ajman in their final hit-out before Wednesday night's Fifa Club World Cup opener against Auckland City, but the victory might have come at a cost.

Star striker Jader Volnei Spindler, who plays like many Brazilians under a single name, in his case "Bare", was carried by stretcher from the pitch in Ajman with about 20 minutes to play of the eighth round UAE Football League match after he had fallen awkwardly and appeared to badly twist his ankle.

Bare, who has played his recent football with top Japanese club Gambia Osaka, was transferred to Al Ahli for a UAE record fee. He is seen as being crucial to his team's chances with much of the play going through him.

Auckland City coach Paul Posa and his two assistants, Ramon Tribulietx and Stipe Saric, along with goalkeeping coach Simon Eaddy, were at the game.

"It did not look good from where we were sitting," said Posa. "You might question the decision to play him with such a big game just a few days away especially as they were playing the bottom team in the league."

Posa said there was a decided step up by Al Ahli since new coach Madhi Ali joined them about a month ago.

"We had a fair idea of what to expect but in going to the game we were able to pick up on a lot of things the camera doesn't. They seem to be doing better under the new coach," said Posa. "They play a different style of game but we always knew that. They basically played a 4-4-2 formation which is something they haven't done before. They play quite narrow and pose a real threat from left-back."

Local observers at City's two-hour training session yesterday pointed to the pace the Aucklanders play at as likely to be a crucial factor in the outcome.

Al Ahli, like many teams in this part of the world, are more comfortable when they have time on the ball and can play at their pace.

By picking up the tempo, City will put them under some pressure. That difference in pace will, no doubt, be reported back as it appears yesterday's training session was under video surveillance from cameras positioned across the road from the training pitch adjacent to the main stadium where the teams will meet.

Posa has yet to name his starting XI but it seems only in goal - where he has to choose between Jacob Spoonley and Paul Gothard - and up front where he has a number of options, does he have decisions to make.

Keryn Jordan sat out much of yesterday's session and required a couple of jabs in his right knee. Posa is not sure yet how much, if any, time his South African-born striker will play in Wednesday's game.