Dubai: Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic was happy with the manner of his side’s 6-2 home thrashing of Hatta in the Arabian Gulf League on Sunday, especially as ‘The Boss’ were without several key players.

Omar Abdul Rahman, Khalid Eisa, Mohammad Ahmad and Mohanad Salem were all suspended but Al Ain still went five points clear at the top of the table with a resounding win over the second-from-bottom strugglers.

The victory is a statement from intent from the club who now have nine games remaining to see out their record extending 13th league title.

Hatta twice came from behind with goals from Ahmad Khamis and Samuel Rosa cancelling out Rayhan Yaslam and Ahmad Khalil’s efforts, but Marcus Berg scored one either side of the interval to extend control.

The Swede’s second came just after Hatta went down to 10-men with Mohammad Qassim walking for a second bookable offence, and thereafter Al Ain got two more from Hussain Al Shahat and Ahmad Barman.

“We must thank the players selected to play for Al Ain in tonight’s game but it wasn’t easy due to important absences,” said Mamic.

“The game was generally good and we achieved the desired result but we missed the fighting spirit in our back line and wasted too many opportunities from first half crosses.

“We must now focus on the next game (away to Shabab Ahli on Friday from 8pm) and the good thing is that absent players will return to the line-up.

“It is better to have a full group of players especially as Al Ain are preparing for important challenges at all levels locally and continentally,” he added of the Arabian Gulf League, President’s Cup, League Cup and Asian Champions League.

Giving other players a chance in the face of suspensions wasn’t such a bad thing, admitted Mamic. “I consider myself the quality of trainer who wants to give a chance for all players because we compete in four tournaments, which obliges us to equip the largest number of elements that can defend the club’s name in all fixtures.”

Of Ahmad Khalil’s first goal for the club since joining from Al Jazira, the Croatian added: “It’s good to succeed in translating the efforts of his colleagues, but we must not forget he hasn’t played for a long time due to the injury suffered after joining Al Jazira and will need more time to enhance his fitness levels.”

Al Ain, who have now won the past four league matches and are unbeaten this season, overtook Al Wasl for first earlier this month and now look set to dig in for the title over their remaining nine games. They next take on sixth-placed Shabab Ahli on Friday, who fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Ajman on Sunday.

Modibo Maiga and Mohammad Khalifa put Ajman ahead on 14 and 40 minutes before Esmail Al Hammadi got a consolation 10 minutes before the end.

Shabab Ahli are now without a win in nine league fixtures, six were draws under ex-coach Cosmin Olaroiu. Two defeats either side of a draw have come since Mahdi Ali took over last month.