Unbeaten Camels 1, 2 prepare for clash, national selections

With both Camels teams now named for tonight’s clash, there will be no love lost between the players on the field as they gear up for the most awaited derby labelled “mate against mate”. What is even more at stake is the national selection for next weekend’s Asia Rugby international Sevens tournament.  
Camels 2 head into the third round against arch-rivals Camels 1 at Aspire’s warm up field tonight without some of their most dominant players. Even so the Camels 2 is determined to find a way to be competitive.
Talal Mujalli, captain of the Seconds, said, “We haven’t lost any games, just names due to injuries. It’s also an important week as it is the last chance for us players to impress the national selectors ahead of Al Ain next weekend. Regardless we will field a good team and give Camels 1 a good run for their money.
“The Camels 1 side is a great team. If we can close in on their playmakers, restrict their movements in general play then we can definitely beat them. However, if we allow them room their pace and bullet passing ability will tear us down.”
Mujalli added: “Playing against your national team-mate and someone you train with five days a week is not easy. We must block out any friendship on the field. We are all great mates but not on Saturday night.”
Camels 2’s forward Nasser al-Dosari spoke from the side line as he watched his team train on Thursday night. He said “Our team has been hit with a few injuries at a very crucial time of the competition. That does not mean we will not be competitive. I’m sure all teams have their injury woes.”
When asked about how his team will contain the top side, al-Dosari said, “Camels 1 have a very good open game style with speed to burn. We will be trying to slow down their momentum and ball passing. Defensively we need to be on target. Our outside defense must wrap the ball carrier and restrain his ability to move. We need to play at our pace that’s how we will beat them.”
“It certainly won’t be easy, that’s for sure with the likes of Fijian Lliese (Rakabu), Kiwi Aaron (McLelland) and Welshman Greg (Evans), the Camels have the best players in the competition. But if we can cut them off, Camels 1 will panic and look for other options. That’s when we can dominate taking advantage of their errors. We must forget that we are mates and play like we are playing any other team,” he said.
Team mate and rugby sevens veteran Ebrahim al-Nasr said, “This is probably the worst time to have injuries to players as we prepare to take on Camels 1 but we have few new boys coming into the team, they will get the chance to step up and hopefully win the match There’s more at stake here than other matches. Firstly we want to beat the Fijians boys and secondly our players want national selection.”
The Camels 1 team has accumulated 146 points for and 5 against, while the Camels 2 has scored 65 points for with 29 against. The competition table separates them by 1 point. Camels 1 has won all three matches sitting on 12 points whereas Camels 2 has won 2 and drawn one match and they sit on 11 points.
Should Camels 2 win they will lead the competition standings, however, if they lose they will slip further behind and give the likes of the Lions and Al Khor clubs an opportunity to grab second place.  
Camels 1 captain and playmaker Rakabu has a different look on things. He said, “We are playing a very good game now. We are hitting our stride and it’s very hard to beat us. The Camels 2 fortunately for us has a few injuries this week and a few resting because of the national side, so it makes our job a little bit easier.”
Rakabu asserts, “The Camels 2 have sufficient depth to cover the loss of the injured players but there will be a noticeable change. They are best up the middle. Their forwards Rakan and Mubarak are big and fast so we will keep play away from them. Talal is also dangerous near the line so well have to watch him as well.”
Fellow Fijian Orisis Sareki agrees with his captain saying, “Camels 2 had a draw last week but they should have won easily. Their forwards are fast and are adapting to rugby very quickly. We will beat them but it won’t be a walk over. A lot of the boys are also trying to make the national selection so they’ll be all pumped up for our match.”
In other matches Al Khor will meet the Lions and CNAQ. DRFC Hurricanes will want to maintain their winning streak when they also face CNAQ and the luckless Blue Falcons. Camels 2 will play their second match against the Lions.