Everything is clicking into place for Al Ain. A week to remember has seen the Arabian Gulf League title added to by Asian progression, courtesy of last night’s measured 1-0 triumph at Al Shabab Riyadh.

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The omens for future success was added to by the identity of the goalscorer, Asamoah Gyan dancing with extra relish now seemingly freed from a lingering quadraceps problem.

Last year’s AFC Champions League semi-finalists can now look forward to a carefree final Group B fixture against Naft Tehran on May 6, only top spot left to play for.

Coach Zlatko Dalic saw his well-drilled troops hold the struggling hosts at arm’s length in a dull contest, safe in the knowledge their star striker would deliver up top when required.

The opening 45 minutes stuttered by in a stream of mediocrity, a deserted Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium not adding to the spectacle. This was drab means to a positive end. 

The competition’s reigning top scorer Gyan fluffed the first chance on 35 minutes, stabbing over at the back stick when a Mohamed Abdulrahman free-kick bounced his way.

The White Lions then spurned a glaring opportunity, fellow Ghanaian John Antwi prodding a Hassan Muath cross wide on the stretch.

Shabab have endured a difficult season, Adel Abdelrahman their third coach during a miserable spell which sees them a distant fifth in the Saudi Professional League and now eliminated from their ACL pool.

The Boss exited the dressing room with much more purpose. They knew such downcast opponents, combined with Pakhtakor’s earlier draw with Naft Tehran, provided the perfect access point to the round of 16.

Omar Abdulrahman – who overembellished with frustrating frequency – stung then underworked stand-in goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais when racing onto a loose ball.

Momentum was slowly building and Gyan – as ever – was the man to make it count. Typically sharp work from centre midfielder Lee Myung-joo bought him space in the area, his low centre being sidefooted in by the predatory Ghana captain.

His haul for the night arguably should have been doubled on 64 minutes, narrowly flagged for offside when tapping in after substitute Rashid Essa’s pass.

A third effort was cleared off the line as the Boss broke free near the end. No matter, the spoils were never in doubt.