Dubai: Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu admitted the defending champions were missing injured Brazilian striker Jociel “Ciel” Ferreira da Silva after being held to a goalless draw at home to Ajman on Monday.

Esmail Al Hammadi came closest to breaking the deadlock for the Red Knights just before half-time, when his effort from a cross hit the post, but otherwise Al Ahli’s dominance amounted to very little in front of goal.

Olaroiu said Ciel’s absence was one reason for Al Ahli’s lack of potency, but added that with the Brazilian out for six months having broken his ankle, the title holders would have to find a solution.

“We controlled the game and Ajman didn’t cause us any problems, the trouble was we just didn’t convert our chances,” said Olaroiu.

“Of course, Ciel is a player who can break the defence individually with his spirit, power and penetration, but it’s not about that, I have other players and in different ways they should find the win even without Ciel.

“Grafite, Luis Jimenez and Ahmad Khalil can also make a difference at any time and they’ve shown that before on many occasions.”

The transfer window closes on Thursday and Al Ahli are said to be actively pursuing a number of foreign attacking options. Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana, who has been brought in from the reserves as cover, is not seen as a long-term option.

Without Ciel, who broke his ankle in Al Ahli’s opening 1-0 win away to Sharjah, the Red Knights have gone on to lose 4-2 at home to Al Shabab before a 5-1 win away to Al Wasl.

This latest goalless draw at home, where they have failed to win so far this season, raises concerns about Al Ahli’s ability to retain the title. But Olaroiu says it is still early days.

‘Little bit of luck’

“When we don’t win of course it affects us,” he said. “But this does not mean we have to fall down after four games, the league is long and there will be more surprises. We have to continue and do our best.”

Olaroiu added that finding winning form at home would be key to their campaign.

“Last year we were very strong at home, but now we’ve lost five points in the first two games and taken six points away.

“Nobody said we didn’t work hard, it’s just sometimes you need a little bit of luck to make a difference and we haven’t found that yet.”

Al Jazira coach Eric Gerets was also left to rue missed chances after his side were held 3-3 away to Al Dhafra on Monday.

Al Dhafra’s Yousuf Kaddioui scored either side of Al Jazira’s Khamis Esmail, before Mirko Vucinic’s brace for the visitors was cancelled out by a late leveller from Dhafra’s Makhete Diop.

“We had a lot of attacking moments,” Gerets said. “The only thing you need to do is score a couple of goals and finish the game by controlling it. We couldn’t control it all. We threw two points through the window.”