Raducan urges Ahli players to keep pushing for AGL title

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Al Ahli players celebrate their win.

    Al Ahli must still keep on pushing to reclaim the Arabian Gulf League crown after they took “one big step” towards it by defeating holders Al Ain 1-0, according to assistant coach Catalin Raducan.

    The 2013/14 champions boast a huge six-point advantage over the Boss with just three games left after 2015 AFC Asian Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil headed in the only goal during Thursday’s title showdown.

    Speaking in the absence of boss Cosmin Olaroiu after his usual dismissal in this heated fixture, fellow Romanian Raducan warned against complacency in the fixtures to come against Al Nasr, Bani Yas and Al Shaab.

    He said: “It was a very difficult game, between the best teams at this moment in Emirates.

    “First half, we played good and controlled the game. In the second half, I don’t know why we were afraid – we took a step back and let them control the game.

    “In the end, it was a big victory for us and one big step in front to win the league – but nothing is finished now.

    “We still have three games which are very, very difficult. We need to take points to be sure. I congratulate the players for how they fought and congratulate Al Ain because they are a very strong team and play very good.

    “At this moment, we are very happy. We will take one or two days to clear our mind and get ready for the next game against Al Nasr, which will be a very tough game.”

    In front of a sold-out crowd at Rashid Stadium for this much-anticipated clash, the hosts exerted control from the off as they took a huge step towards a seventh topflight championship.

    Poor marking from the division’s second-best defence was to blame for the only goal, a dart across the front post from forward and skipper Khalil seeing him flick in excellent Brazil playmaker Everton Ribeiro’s free-kick unchallenged during the 38th minute.

    Al Ain had been dumbfounded by a switch to an unaccustomed 4-1- 4-1 formation and curious switching of positions between 12-goal centre forward Douglas and flying Colombian winger Danilo Asprilla.

    A re-jig at half-time saw UAE winger Mohamed Abbdulrahman thrown on and his diving header on 54 minutes cannoned off the near post. This was as good as it got for the second-placed visitors to Dubai, who could be dethroned next weekend if they drop points against already-relegated Al Shaab and Ahli better their result at Nasr.

    “Congratulations to Al Ahli for three points and hard luck for my team,” said visiting boss Zlatko Dalic. “Now the difference is six points in the table – it is a big difference.

    “First half, we didn’t play to our style, but we conceded a goal from a free-kick which was a big mistake. In the second half, we changed and gave everything but we didn’t score.

    “I cannot say anything against my players, especially in the second half as they tried everything. We have to continue our hard work and turn our minds to the President’s Cup and AFC Champions League.

    “Al Ahli is a very-experienced team and a strong side and if you can’t score, they will kill the game. Our difference is six points but we can’t expect someone to help us – as always, everything depends on my team.

    “We must try to do our best, take the nine points and finish the season well. After that, we can see what happens.”

    The outcome of this match was decided by who edged the midfield battle. This turned out to be a no contest, as UAE anchors Majed Hassan and Khamis Esmail successfully nullified celebrated Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdulrahman.

    Hassan, 23, insisted this concentrated display was the blueprint for success in the fixtures to come. He said: “We were able to win thanks to the focus that we maintained. We must continue to concentrate this way for the rest of the competition, as this result brings us closer to the league title.”

    Recommended