Dubai: Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu was pleased not to have strayed off course following their 4-1 win against minnows Dibba in fourth round action of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), late on Saturday.
After being held goalless for most of the first half, it was Esmail Al Hammadi giving the home side the lead during injury time. But the Red Knights could not hold on for long as Khalifa Salem drew level within two minutes of the second half.
However, the turning point was when defender Eisa Sangour cleared off the goalline to ensure Dibba did not put their noses ahead. The response from the home team was swift as Al Ahli got three goals within the next ten minutes through Asamoah Gyan (61st), South Korean Kwon Kyung (64th) and Brazilian Rodrigo Lima (69th) to ensure full points.
Al Ahli’s unbeaten run in three matches — after Round 3 against Al Ain was shifted to mid-December — ensured the defending champions stay within striking distance of top two, Al Shabab (12 points) and Al Jazira (10).
“Ultimately, it is the three points that mattered for us,” Olaroiu said at the post-match conference.
“This was a tough game for us and we saw what Dibba are capable of especially in the first half when we failed to break through their defence. After we took the lead they never gave up. They equalised and then nearly went ahead if it was not for Sangour’s clearance. The most important thing for me tonight was the three points,” the Romanian added.
Olaroiu was pleased with the effort being put in by his players, be it the more experienced ones of the new signings coming through the youth ranks. “I don’t make a difference in levels of play. For me, anyone who can play and give his best for the club is worthy of selection. I am enjoying this healthy competition within the squad where young players are showing they are capable of taking on responsibilities,” he pointed.
“There are some players like Saeed [Ahmad] and Ahmad [Sabeel] who have proved themselves time and again, and it is but fair that I keep rotating responsibilities among the squad to get the best as a team,” Olaroiu added.
Dibba coach Paulo Sergio Bento De Brito rued the mistakes from his side. “To start with, there is a huge difference in the quality of players of the two teams. And then we made some silly mistakes that led to goals,” he said.
“We played well, especially in the first half. But a lack of concentration during injury time cost us a goal. However, we did well with an early equaliser in the second half. And then those ten minutes took the match away from us,” De Brito added.
The fifth round of the AGL is scheduled for next week with Al Ahli making the short trip across to Al Mamzar to meet their neighbours and arch-rivals Al Shabab, while Dibba will host Al Ain on October 28.
