Zlatko Dalic demands more from Al Ain’s foreign players ‘especially Ryan Babel’

Despite winning the Arabian Gulf Super Cup, Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic said he was 'far from happy' with his players. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // There are worse ways to begin a season than with a trophy, but Zlatko Dalic was not entirely happy with the performance of his Al Ain side, even as they won a third title under his coaching.

Al Ain secured their third Arabian Gulf Super Cup of the professional era with a 4-2 triumph over Al Nasr at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday night.

Emmanuel Emenike began the post-Asamoah Gyan age with two goals but Dalic was left expecting more from his foreign contingent, especially former Liverpool star Ryan Babel.

The Netherlands international turned in a classy assist for the opening goal but that was about the sum of his contribution on his competitive debut with Al Ain.

He was subbed before the hour, Dalic unhappy that he had “stopped running”.

“I’m not fully happy how my team played tonight,” Dalic said. “I want more, I want better, especially from my foreign players.

“They need more time but I expect more, especially from Babel.

“He almost stopped running. He was tired and so I made the change.”

Match report: Al Ain's post-Gyan era begins with Arabian Gulf Super Cup triumph over Al Nasr

The weather was punishing. The temperature at kick off was 36° Celsius with a “feels like” temperature of 44°C as the humidity soared after sundown.

Al Ain’s foreign players collectively did better than Al Nasr’s, who were chasing a third trophy in 2015 under Ivan Jovanovic.

The league and President’s Cup winners may feel the final scoreline a bit harsh, but they were punished for several lapses in concentration.

“Of course I’m disappointed but I can’t complain with the effort my players made in difficult conditions at the start of the season,” Jovanovic said.

“The reason we lost the game was when we equalised in the second half, we conceded two quick goals in a short period of time after that.

That made things difficult for us.

“Everyone makes mistakes, mistakes play a great role in football.

“Every mistake we made today, we conceded a goal, and we were playing against a quality team who can take advantage of any mistakes.”

Arabian Gulf League play begins this week with Al Ahli hosting Fujairah on Thursday.

Al Ain are home to Al Dhafra in an early game on Saturday, and Nasr welcome Emirates to the Al Maktoum Stadium later that night.

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