Bani Yas’ reinvigorating 1-0 triumph against hotly-tipped Al Ahli was because they played a different ball game, according to boss Luis Garcia.

The Sky Blues had won only two matches in their last 12 in all competitions prior to last night’s tense home match, decided by Ishak Belfodil’s first-half rebound.

Their dogged performance contrasted with their wretched 3-0 defeat last time out in the Arabian Gulf League against Sharjah and coach Garcia, 43, argued his confused troops had “played basketball” then.

He said: “We needed this win and we got it. The players were more focused after last week’s defeat to Sharjah.

“The difference in the two games were, we played basketball against Sharjah and tonight we played football.

“I can now leave a bit happy for Christmas to be with my parents for a couple of days.”

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The hosts at Bani Yas Stadium scrapped for every ball, centre-back’s Abdusalam Mohammed and Mohammed Jaber leading the fight for the club who came into the match a lowly 10th.

This fearsome spirit did not imp-ress Red Knights boss Cosmin Olaroiu, who insisted he had never seen as many fouls during four years in the UAE.

He said: “From when I came here until now, I never, never, never saw anything like today. They did not ask to play and did not let us do anything.

“I am tired. I talk all the time and only me I fight.

“Lima controlled the ball on the chest and fouled, Ahmed Khalil ran to the goal and fouled. How can we play or develop?

“We lost a battle but didn’t lose the war. We do not give up, we must continue.”