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Dubai: Al Ahli's Czech coach Ivan Hasek paid tribute to his side's teamwork and unity in winning the first of five games that stand in their way and a possible second piece of silverware this season.
"It's true that Faisal [Khalil] scored two goals, but it was the team spirit that saw us through in this first of five battles," Hasek told Gulf News after his team's 3-1 home win over Sharjah.
With an extra game in hand, Al Ahli, who have already won the President's Cup this season, have emerged as the new threat to leaders Al Shabab, who were held to a 1-1 draw earlier on Sunday.
Players missing
"All the players had a great time on the field, be it Milad [Midawoodi] or Faisal. But ultimately it was our sense of unity and team spirit that saw us through this tough match," the coach added.
The home team missed the services of some of their main players, including defenders Mohammad Qasim through injury and Abdullah Traoure and Khalid Mohammad to suspension.
"Each of the players knew their job and they all carried out their task to near perfection," the coach said.
The focus of the match was Faisal Khalil who earned the anger of the home support after missing two chances in the first half
But the UAE national team striker redeemed himself in the second, when he headed in his first on 52 minutes off an Adil Abdul Aziz corner, and then added his second ten minutes from the final whistle - this time connecting with a cross from the right flank from substitute Hassan Ali Shah.
Ceasar then added a third from the spot four minutes from time after Esmail Al Hammadi was felled inside the box.
It was the second penalty of the game after Brazilian striker Anderson Barbosa had converted for Sharjah on the hour.
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