Al Ain have set their sights on making a statement by finishing 2014 in top spot, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.
The Boss round out the year’s Arabian Gulf League fixtures with a trip to title rivals Al Shabab on Monday (18:20), fulfilling one of the two fixtures sacrificed because of their run to the AFC Champions League semi-finals.
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Al Ain have been in ominous form in recent weeks ahead of the break for January’s Asian Cup, winning their last four games to sit a point behind leaders Al Jazira with two games in hand. This state of affairs is a stark contrast to the disaffected squad inherited by Dalic in March, languishing in mid-table despite being champions.
“The goal of this team is to end the first round of the Arabian Gulf League by topping the table, especially since the team is in an excellent place,” the Croatian said. “We look forward in the second round to follow up this strong start, which leads us to achieve strong results to maintain the lead in the upcoming months.
“After 11 games we played in the league championship this season, we have collected 26 points. When I took over the task of coaching the team last season, we had finished 19 games with the same total.
“This confirms the improved yield of the team and it should continue like this to achieve our objectives.”
Star playmaker Omar Abdulrahman will again be missing because of the ankle injury picked up in last month’s Gulf Cup, while versatile fellow UAE international Mohammed Fawzi faces a fitness test.
Meanwhile, Shabab boss Caio Junior has warned his side they face the “toughest match” of the season thus far when the Boss visit Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.
He said: “Al Ain are a difficult and powerful competitor; the team includes skilful players at a high level. This will be the toughest match for Shabab in the first round.”
Shabab’s challenge has been made more difficult by the suspension of nine-goal top scorer Henrique Luvannor.