Al Ahli's Hasek lays down challenge to team

Dubai: Al Ahli coach Ivan Hasek wants his players to put up a much better showing if they are to be considered serious contenders for the league title this season.

Al Ahli started off this year on a promising note, winning the season opening 'Super Cup' against neighbours and arch-rivals Al Shabab. Their major success last season was the President's Cup title against defending champions Al Wasl.

And their chase to top the UAE Football League (UFL) has been earnest this season, with them currently lieing in second place with 23 points behind leaders Al Jazira (25 points).

Al Ain are in hot pursuit in third (21 points), followed by debutants Ajman in surprising fourth (17 points) and Sharjah in fifth with 13 points.

However, last week saw the title seekers stumble during a 1-1 away draw to Al Dhafrah and coach Hasek knows there will be no more easy matches.

"We knew that the match against Al Dhafrah would be tough. Al Jazira beat them by a solitary goal and even Al Ain played a goalless draw against them," Hasek pointed out.

However, the Czech coach is not unduly worried, not at least for the moment, as he knows his team need to just re-focus and take one match at a time. "Of course, I am not happy with last week's result, but at the same time I feel we have the time on hand to go after the title," Hasek said.

The UFL is currently on a break as the national team prepare for January's Gulf Cup to be held in Oman.

Al Ahli would have been happier going into the break after playing their eleventh round match against Al Shabab that was initially scheduled for this weekend.

But the UAE FA intervened and postponed this week's games until the first week of February.

"We accept that decision from the UAE FA, but I still feel they should have foreseen this situation before, and they should have come to a decision that is acceptable to a majority of the teams," Hasek said.

Given these circumstances, the Al Ahli coach knows there is no short-cuts to success for his team.

"They know it is important to keep the momentum going. From now on, it is going to be all about concentration and intensity. They know there are no short-cuts to reach the goal," Hasek said.

"The season is not finished with ten rounds. There are another 12 games left in the competition and any team that can keep the momentum going will win the crown," he added.

"We want to be one of these teams."