The time for waiting to see a return on Al Ahli’s significant winter investment must come to an end tonight if their historic AFC Champions League adventure is to continue.

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The Red Knights spent lavishly in January to correct a faltering treble defence. Brazil playmaker Everton Ribeiro, Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi and Jeonbuk Hyundai defensive midfielder Kwon Kyung-won all came through the Rashid Stadium door to eyewatering expense.

This largesse was meant to generate a climb up the Arabian Gulf League standings. But reality was painful for the Ahli benefactors, the 2013/14 champions ending up a distant seventh.

Joy was found in Asia’s premier club competition, a first-ever qualification to the knockout stages secured thanks to Ahmed Khalil’s match-winning brace against Tractor Sazi on the final day of Group D fighting.

Local rivals Al Ain await, this evening’s first leg in Dubai sure to set the round-of-16 tone.

Ribeiro excelled on the continental stage while finding his feet steadily domestically, scoring three in six Asian appearances – including the vital deflected decider at Uzbekistan’s Nasaf.

Kwon has also already proven a solid purchase, providing a diligent and powerful presence in the centre.

But their example has not been followed by Assaidi and, this term, skipper Jimenez. The duo have only nine goals in all competitions between them, not enough for attacking sparks.

Even Ribeiro and Kwon’s output can be questioned when compared to their imminent opponents.

The ever-reliable (when fit) Asamoah Gyan, Miroslav Stoch, Jires Kembo Ekoko and Lee Myung-joo have scored 47 goals between them in all competitions.

Even accounting for half-season totals for three of them, Ahli’s foreign figures do not stack up – notching just 16 in total.

Much more is required at Rashid Stadium if next week’s return match in the Garden City is not going to be a foregone conclusion.