Newly-crowned Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain have too much pride to coast through until the end of the season, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.
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Second-placed Al Jazira’s 4-2 loss to Bani Yas last week saw the Boss take an unassailable 10-point lead with only three games remaining.
With that triumph in mind, Al Ain could be excused dropping their levels in the next few weeks ahead of the President’s Cup beginning on May 15.
But Dalic insisted his players’ “high degree of responsibility” will see them give their all at Al Wahda on Monday night.
He said: “Everyone understands that the season is not over yet. Personally, I have great confidence in the Al Ain players and their high degree of responsibility.”
The Clarets are locked in a battle with Al Shabab to secure the third-and-final guaranteed ACL spot through the top flight.
The Hawks moved three points clear when they beat Fujairah 1-0 last night, meaning an upswing of two wins on the spin under boss Sami Al Jaber is well timed following his miserable beginning in February.
“I hope that we offer the same level,” the Saudi Arabia legend said. “We played two games with great team spirit and resolve – we still have more to offer.”
Match Card • Al Wahda Al Ain • :20:45 • :Monday • :Round 24 • :Al Wahda Stadium pic.twitter.com/HHQ4FdtG9T
— Arabian Gulf League (@AGL_Sports) April 25, 2015
Meanwhile, Jazira boss Eric Gerets has urged his crestfallen players to use tonight’s trip to Sharjah to get in the best possible shape for the President’s Cup.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi need to lift that trophy to claim silverware from a campaign that once promised so much.
He said: “Now, we have to fight to give the best we have in front of Sharjah, so we return to the right path. This will restore our confidence before the start of our participation in the President’s Cup.”
The night’s final game sees a dead-rubber clash when mid-table Al Nasr travel to an Emirates Club outfit who secured their top-flight status last time out.