Al Ahli assistant coach Catalin Raducan praised his players for delivering more silverware but has warned that they must remain focused as they attempt to secure a historic domestic treble.
The Red Knights had already been crowned league champions before sealing Arabian Gulf Cup glory against Al Jazira in Al Ain on Saturday night.
Trailing at half-time to an Ali Mabkhout penalty, the Red Knights were transformed after the break and having laid siege to the Jazira goal they found their equaliser with 21 minutes remaining as Grafite headed home.
The goal winded their opponents and Ahli grabbed a deserved winner in the final 10 minutes as Al Hamadi made the most of some suspect defending to fire home.
Jazira, reduced to 10 men late on as Hassan Ameen was shown a second booking for a clash with Ciel, were unable to rouse themselves and slipped to a second successive final defeat in this competition.
Victory for the Red Knights, though, means they are now just one step away from a domestic clean sweep with the President’s Cup final against Al Ain to come on May 18.
“I would like to congratulate our players for what they achieved,” Raducan said. “The first half was not very good for us but the second half we controlled the game, created many chances and in the end deserved to win.
“We played against a strong team, one that has already qualified in the AFC Champions League, and for this reason we are very, very happy.”
There is no rest for Ahli as they challenge on two further fronts. The Red Knights travel to Doha onTuesday needing a point against Al Sadd to qualify for the AFC Champions League round of 16.
Raducan added: “This game is finished and now we don’t have time to celebrate. After three days we have an important game in the Champions League, which is like a final for us and now we must think about that game.”
Jazira boss Walter Zenga failed to attend his post-match duties following his opposite number’s noshow at the pre-match conference on Friday.
Both coaches could face sanctions but Raducan defended Ahli’s decision to delay their arrival in Al Ain.
“We decided it would be better for us to stay at home, fix everything and then come here one day before the game at night,” he added. “We did not do this because we don’t like press conferences. No, we made the programme how we thought was best for the team and for that reason we did this.”
For 45 minutes it seemed thatAhli’s treble dream would fall at the second hurdle. Mabkhout was a constant thorn in the Red Knights’ side and after Basheer Saeed had denied him with an acrobatic goal line clearance, the UAE striker gave his side the lead from the spot.
The 23-year-old almost doubled Jazira’s advantage before the break too, but fired wide having cut in from the left wing. And that would prove to be the last chance the Abu Dhabi side created for a while, as Ahli emerged re-energised with Hugo Viana the catalyst in midfield.
It was his wonderful left wing cross that allowed Grafite to power an impressive header past Ali Khaseif with 21 minutes left.
The Dubai side sensed blood and after Ahmed Khalil and Viana had both gone close, Al Hamadi took advantage of some woeful defending to give them the lead.
The UAE winger was partial to an important goal but his path was cleared as two Jazira defenders dived at his feet. Tempers frayed as the game ticked into injury time, before Ameen received his second booking late on. That had little impact on the result though.
