How they have needed the distraction. A poor domestic campaign was, for three weeks at least, put aside, as Al Ain kicked off the Asian Champions League (ACL) group stage in fine style.
They were not alone. Last week the UAE's representatives in the competition concluded match day three with excellent results against Iranian opposition; Al Ain beat Tractor Sazi at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday; Al Jazira drew 2-2 with Esteghlal in Tehran and, a day later, Al Ahli overcame Sepahan 2-1 away from home.
Al Ain and Jazira top their groups while Ahli are second in theirs on goal difference behind Al Sadd of Qatar.
Already 2014 is looking far more encouraging for the Emirati teams than last year’s dismal campaign.
But for Al Ain, on Sunday, it is back to the harsh realities of the 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League season. The champions return to action at home against their bitter rivals Al Ahli, a team seemingly on an unstoppable march towards this season's title.
A victory for the visitors means Al Ain cannot catch their opponents with six matches left.
Not much has gone right for Al Ain since last summer and even though that three-week break from league action must have been seen as a blessing, it has not been free of turmoil.
Since their last action in the league, a 1-0 loss at Al Nasr, Al Ain won their first match at their new home then promptly sacked Quique Sanchez Flores. It was hardly a shock but still incredibly harsh on one of the leagues most accomplished coaches who had also steered the club to the President’s Cup final.
Croatian Zlatko Dalic, the man hired on March 5 as technical supervisor with a brief to develop the club’s academy sides, suddenly has the more immediate task of improving the first team.
In many ways it is a no-lose situation for the man in temporary charge. The league campaign is a write-off, but domestic success is still possible in the cup.
Which leaves April’s three remaining Champions League group matches a priority for the rest of the season. Dalic has already overseen an away win over Al Ittihad of Saudi and the Tractor Sazi triumph.
Qualification to the knockout stage looks possible and with only the last-16 round being played before the summer transfer window, Al Ain could enter the quarter-finals with an improved squad.
Dalic could be forgiven for already planning for 2014/15, but Al Ain’s vociferous fans are unlikely to give him and his team an easy ride for the rest of this one.
Starting on Sunday against the team that took their former coach, Cosmin Olaroiu, last summer. Another home defeat will not go down well in the Garden City, new coach or not.
Al Ain’s plight echoes that of another struggling champion.
Last week Manchester United were beaten 3-0 in front of their own fans by their most hated rivals Liverpool. But redemption came a few days later in the Champions League.
Al Ain could find themselves in an uncannily similar situation by the final whistle. Should they lose, their form in Asia’s premier competition could be the season’s saving grace.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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