There is still work to do, says Al Ahli coach Olaroiu
dubai — Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu said that they still are a work in progress despite winning all three games in the Arabian Gulf League so far.
The Red Knights, who are the defending champions, are yet to drop a point and have nine points from three after defeating Dibba 4-1 at the Rashid Stadium, late on Saturday night. Despite what the scoreline suggests, the Al Quasis club were made to work hard for the win. It was a late blitz after the hour that wrapped it up for Al Ahli.
“Dibba are not an easy team and they showed good power. We scored in the last minute of stoppage time but we unfortunately made a mistake and they scored. But our players opened up the game for us. Even though the score was 4-1, that was not the reality on the pitch. They waited on us to make mistakes and relied on counter-attacks,” said Olaroiu.
The Romanian said that a change in the pace of the game was a factor in them struggling in the first half.
“We had prepared before the game to play fast but unfortunately, we played slow.
“When we play fast, things becomes easier for us. We know that we cannot be perfect but we have to be careful because such things can cost us in the future. We always try to give our best and score more goals. We want to play good and this is one of our targets,” he said.
Up next is a tough test against League pace setters Al Shabab on Friday and Olaroiu said that they have to get the players back in shape for that short away trip.
“Our target was to get the three points and we did. Now, we focus on the game against Al Shabab. And we have to try and get the players back in shape for the next game,” Olaroiu said.
Meanwhile, Dibba coach Paulo Sergio said that quality between the two sides was evident but they had tried to make a match of it.
“There is nothing much to say. When you lose like that, you have to congratulate Al Ahli. Al Ahli are a big team and they are a quality side. And there is a big difference in quality between them and us. We had a strategy before the game but we committed some mistakes. We started well in the second half and we had a chance to score but couldn’t. After that, it was all Al Ahli and they were unstoppable,” said Sergio.
“They have the quality so we were defending down the pitch and we were defending well. And knowing it was Al Ahli, we had to. We did well till the 45th minute but that one mistake cost us,” he added.