Rami Rabia starts for Al Ain as Sufian Rahimi misses Kalba game after father’s death

Rami Rabia has been named in the starting line-up for Al Ain’s UAE league match against Kalba, while Sufian Rahimi is absent following the death of his father.

The fourth-round fixture marks Rabia’s fourth consecutive start for Al Ain. The defender joined the club in the summer of 2025 as a free agent after his contract with Al Ahly ended.

Rabia helped Al Ain complete a league and cup double last season and has retained his place at the heart of the defence for the opening four matches of the current campaign.

Rahimi’s absence has led to a change in attack, with Cameroon international Baba Elio replacing him in the forward line. Al Ain have selected the following starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Khalid Eisa

Defenders: Yahya Ben Khaleq, Marcel Ratnik, Rami Rabia

Midfielders: Lazaro, Kaku, Abdoul Karim Traore, Palacios, Rafa Rodriguez

Forwards: Giakoumakis, Baba Elio

Al Ain enter the match sharing top spot in the UAE league with nine points. They are level with Al Jazira and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, with all three clubs having collected three wins from their opening fixtures.

Kalba are 11th in the table with one point. Their record so far consists of one draw and two defeats.

The match will therefore see Al Ain attempt to maintain their position at the summit, while Kalba look to improve their early-season record. Rabia’s continued selection provides defensive continuity for Al Ain, but the team will begin the game without Rahimi, who has been left out because of the bereavement.

Rabia’s move to Al Ain came after the conclusion of his spell with Al Ahly, with the defender arriving on a free transfer in the summer of 2025. Since then, he has featured from the start in each of Al Ain’s first four league matches this season.

Al Ain’s line-up includes Khalid Eisa in goal, with Yahya Ben Khaleq, Marcel Ratnik and Rabia forming the defensive unit. Lazaro, Kaku, Abdoul Karim Traore, Palacios and Rafa Rodriguez have been selected in midfield, while Giakoumakis and Baba Elio will lead the attack.

The side’s nine-point total places them level with Al Jazira and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai at the top of the standings. Kalba, meanwhile, have taken only a single point from their first three matches and currently occupy 11th place.