O'Leary bullish after victory

Abu Dhabi: Pinga gave under-fire Al Ahli boss David O'Leary a much-needed boost after scoring the winner against high-flying Bani Yas yesterday in the UFL.

The Brazilian midfielder scored from a long-range shot on 59 minutes following a largely drab encounter that saw neither side dominate proceedings at Rashid stadium in Dubai.

Talk before the game had been about the immediate future of former Leeds United boss O'Leary with the feeling prevailing that this was a must-win game for the Irishman.

However, O'Leary himself was in a bullish mood as he faced the press in a post-match interview where he refused to contemplate his job was on the line despite his team languishing mid-table. "That's football. I'm a hero tonight," he said.

"I still stand by what I said at the beginning of the season. This is a big project. The club owners said take this club and we know it's going to be a hard task and it will take time.

"I can't legislate for people outside that don't. David O'Leary is no genius," he added.

"There will be highs and lows. This season is about change. We might be able to do something in the January window and again in the summer and next season we will be stronger and the season after we will be stronger still.

Still here

"Tonight we win but I'm so used to hearing people say O'Leary is this and O'Leary is that, it goes over my head. Whatever the result tonight I believe I would still be here.

"There is a lot of emotion that says after a run of bad results get rid of the coach but it has been proven time and again that this doesn't work. Long-term visions are the most successful ones."

The result sees Al Ahli increase their tally to 17 points, leaving Bani Yas in second place on 24 points, while Al Jazira top the standings. Al Jazira were due to play Dubai club later.

In Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafrah surprised Al Wahda by beating them 4-2 and handed the reigning champions their second successive loss. The team's participation in the Fifa Club World Club last week took its toll as the team failed to show its real worth.

In Al Ain, the city team came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw against Al Shabab, and win their first point since the sacking of former coach Abdul Hamid Al Mastaki. The team's new Brazilian coach, Galo watched the match from the stand as assistant coach Ahmad Abdullah led the team.