Ibrahim Diaky feels Al Ain's determination proved decisive

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  • Getting stuck in: Ibrahim Diaky (r) is impressed with the fight shown by his team.

    Al Ain veteran Ibrahim Diaky is convinced the Arabian Gulf League champions’ superior fighting spirit made it a no contest against bitter rivals Al Ahli.

    The Boss hammered their on-song opponents 3-0 on Saturday during the top-flight summit meeting, with goals coming from Fellipe Bastos, Mohamed Abdulrahman and Emmanuel Emenike.

    Ahli came out second best in every 50/50 tackle as coach Zlatko Dalic’s compact game plan succee-ded and Diaky believed this greater desire was key.

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    “I am really impressed with the team spirit,” the 33-year-old midfielder said. “Especially playing against a team like Al Ahli.

    “We kind of wanted to fight and defend the colours of Al Ain. We did it in a good way. 

    “I am very glad and I say ‘mabrouk’ (congratulations in Arabic) for Al Ain and hard luck for Al Ahli. The team spirit made us as one, to fight for the three points.”

    The result ended the second-placed Red Knights’ 100-per-cent start, but they can usurp the leaders’ four-point advantage with two games in hand.

    Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdulrahman was the star act, the runner-up for the 2015 AFC Player of the Year award outshining Ahli’s winner Ahmed Khalil with two fabulous assists.

    “He is a genius,” said Diaky. “Everyone knows the quality he has.

    “He is a leader. I have always told him he is the best player in Asia.

    “I am really glad to be playing with him. His talent makes him a very, very great player.”

    Emenike’s calm one-on-one finish made it five goals in seven AGL games since his summer loan move from Fenerbahce.

    Despite this strong start, the newly-retired Nigeria striker has been heavily criticised by fans and only started against Ahli because of an injury to UAE international Saeed Al Kathiri.

    Diaky urged patience for the player brought in to replace club legend Asamoah Gyan.

    He said: “He has had his difficult moments, but now it is coming slowly, slowly. The pressure at Al Ain is not easy, especially when you come after a striker like Asamoah Gyan – he left a big name behind.

    “Emenike is a great striker. I have told him to keep working and it will come for him.”

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