Al Shabab to meet Bani Yas in etisalat Cup

Al Shabab will commence the defence of their etisalat Cup crown when they take on Bani Yas on September 15-16. The draws were announced by the Interim Committee led by Saeed Abdul Gaffar Hussain on Wednesday and defending champions Al Shabab were pitted in Group B along with Bani Yas, Al Nasr, Al Ahli, Sharjah and new entrants Ajman Club. "There is nothing like easy matches either in the league or in the etisalat Cup," Obaid Al Hubaitha, Al Shabab senior team manager, told Gulf News after the draw. "The most important thing for our players will be to focus from the start and be prepared to give off their best on the field, no matter what the competition," he added. Article continues below In other opening matches of the preliminary round on September 15-16, Al Ain will face Al Wahda; Al Jazira will take on Diego Maradona's Al Wasl; newly-promoted Emirates Club will play Dubai Club; Sharjah will host Al Nasr and the second new entrant Ajman Club will take on Al Ahli. From gulfnews .