Ahli not after revenge in Etisalat Cup final

Al Ahli captain Batista ‘Grafite' Libanio insists his side aren't consumed by thoughts of GCC Champions League final revenge, as they take on defending champions Al Shabab in the Etisalat Cup final tonight. The Red Knights threw away a 3-2 home leg lead with a 2-0 loss away to Al Shabab in the regional showcase last November, resulting in the dismissal of coach Ivan Hasek. But reminders of this were rebuffed yesterday as Grafite and Hasek's successor Quique Sanchez Flores addressed the press at Al Nasr's Maktoum Stadium, where the game will begin tonight from 7.45pm. Grafite, who has netted 27 goals in 31 appearances this season, said: "I have a good feeling about this match because although this is the same side that lost the GCC Champions League final we are in a different situation now. "It's the same players, the same confidence but our character has improved on last year. We'll enter the field for a good game and lift the cup — this is my feeling." Flores added: "For me the GCC Champions League final is far from my mind. I obviously didn't live the situation, but I know what happened in the final. For me it's very far from my mind and almost non-existent heading into this match. "After six months we have a different team, the players have a different confidence. I'm sure the final is going to be different to last time." Paulo Bonamigo, whose Al Shabab side aim to defend their Etisalat Cup crown, having beaten Al Ain 3-2 at this stage last season, said: "We don't consider, or prefer not to talk about Al Ahli getting revenge against us. It may sound strange or rough to use this word. We prefer to see this as another final. "It will be a tough game considering both sides showed lots of improvement and managed to reach the GCC Champions League final. Both teams deserve to be here and both played brilliant football to get this far."