Jubilant coach Zlatko Dalic has targeted a domestic double after Al Ain secured the Arabian Gulf League title last night. The Boss were gifted a third championship in four years when second-placed Al Jazira were thumped 4-2 by Bani Yas, the result opening up an unassailable 10-point gap with three fixtures remaining.
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Dalic has proved a roaring success since taking over a club in disarray in March 2014, previously lifting last year’s President’s Cup and reaching the AFC Champions League League semi-finals.
The Croatian was determined to not let the campaign peter out from this high-point, targeting further success.
“We have won the league and I am very proud of the effort from everyone at the club,” he told Sport360°. “But the AFC Champions League and President’s Cup are big targets.
“My players have had a hard job and done brilliantly. We will keep our concentration and take the remaining challenges step-by-step.
Congratulations to the team and fans of Al Ain – 2014/15 Arabian Gulf League Champions @alainfcae
— Arabian Gulf League (@AGLeague) April 17, 2015
“The President’s Cup [which begins on May 15] is our next target and we will play to win it. Our job is also not done in the league.
“I want to break the Al Ain record for most points taken in a season [62 in 2012-13] and we have still not lost at home. There are many things still to play for.”
Al Ain have been long-term leaders during a campaign when prized pair Omar Abdulrahman and Asamoah Gyan have often been absent through injury.
Despite this, if they win all three remaining matches then dethroned Al Ahli’s professional-era points record from last term of 64 can be levelled.
Champions, Mabrook Ainawi!!! pic.twitter.com/VUpmOPCD6F
— Zlatko Dalic (@DalicZlatko) April 17, 2015
Dalic thanked everyone at the club for their efforts, reserving further praise for Jazira boss Eric Gerets. He said: “Now, we can say we are champions after a very tough season. I want to congratulate and thank my team.
“We have won this with the help of everyone at the club – the management, the fans, the players and the technical staff. We have had many injuries, with big players missing for long periods.
“I have big respect for Al Jazira and their coach, Mr Gerets. Our opponents like Al Shabab, Al Wasl and Al Nasr have also been very tough. It has been a great season for me personally and a great honour to finish ahead of Mr Gerets and Cosmin Olaroiu, two of the biggest coaches in the Middle East.”
