Al Ahli making sure not to count their titles yet

Arabian Gulf League leaders still face three teams directly below them in table

Ciel, right, of Al Ahli fights for the ball with Al Ain's Yassine El Ghanassy during their Arabian Gulf League match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on March 23, 2014. Anas Kanni / Al Ittihad

DUBAI // It has been a constant refrain, but even as they overcame a significant obstacle on their relentless march to the Arabian Gulf League title, Al Ahli have refused to change tack.

On Sunday night, the division's leaders fastened their grip on a first top-flight trophy since 2009 by defeating reigning champions Al Ain 3-2 at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

The victory restored Ahli’s six-point cushion at the top of the standings with six matches left to seal the title, which seems likely given that Ahli have been beaten only twice in 20 league fixtures this season.

However, with matches against the three teams directly below them in the table to come during the next four rounds, Ahli have sounded a note of caution. Much like they have done for the majority of 2014, coach Cosmin Olaroiu's men are refusing to take anything for granted.

“We’re close, but we’re not there yet,” said Grafite, the Ahli captain whose brace against Al Ain laid the foundations for the win. “We have six steps – strong steps – to take and we need to have our feet on the ground.

“We know until now we have won nothing. We need to continue this way. If we do, at the end of the season we will celebrate.”

If Ahli are to revel in success come May, then the next month will be critical.

They host fourth-placed Sharjah this week before making the trip to third-placed Al Jazira. While Ahli would expect to defeat Al Wasl in the next fixture, they then face a potential make-or-break clash on April 27 against their closest competitors for the title, Al Shabab.

Grafite said that should they maintain the passion they showed against Al Ain on Sunday, then Ahli can end their UAE championship drought.

“We still have six tough games, especially those against Sharjah, Jazira and Shabab,” he said. “We want to achieve our objectives. We are six points in front of Shabab, but when we go there we need to work like we did [against Al Ain] to get the three points and be champions.”

Ahli's fight is on four fronts and could conceivably end with an unprecedented treble of league title, League Cup and President's Cup crowns. They are second in their group in the Asian Champions League, though that competition stretches into next season.

The cup finals – against Jazira and Al Ain, respectively – represent more immediate targets. Especially, Grafite said, the President’s Cup final on May 18, when he will seek to continue his impressive goalscoring record against Al Ain, a familiar foe. In seven matches against the Garden City club, the Brazilian has found the net eight times.

“I don’t know why, but I think I have good luck against Al Ain,” he said. “[On Sunday] again, it was luck. It was great to score two goals and help our team, but to score against Al Ain, especially at the new stadium, is special because Al Ain-Al Ahli is always a classic game.

“We now have this final to play. I hope to continue this luck and to score and help our team win.”

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