Al Ahli must “give much more effort” to provide insurance against football’s fine margins, according to 25-year-old midfielder Habib Fardan.

The Red Knights’ hopes of regaining the Arabian Gulf League were damaged on Sunday as they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat at Bani Yas, a struggling side who had been winless in six matches.

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The second-placed visitors laid siege towards the end of the match but Moussa Sow and Lima failed to take the opportunities to prevent them falling seven points behind holders Al Ain.

“We lost many chances and we were better,” Fardan, 25, said. 

“But we must give much more effort, as sometimes the luck is not with you. 

“They had one chance and scored. We had many chances and did not score.

“But I think now we should make a big effort in the next games.”

The 2013-14 champions – who possess two games in hand – limped through a dull opening period in which Algeria’s 23-year-old forward Ishak Belfodil struck the only goal on 43 minutes from a rebound. 

Bani Yas waited for an onslaught, but it took until the 85th minute for successive chances to go begging from substitute Ahmed Khalil and Sow.

When asked how vital it is for Ahli to take lessons from this defeat, Fadan replied: “Of course. This is football. 

“Sometimes you do everything, but you don’t get it back. I think now, it will be difficult.

“We must put in a great effort in the next few games.”

Ahli’s run to the 2015 AFC Champions League has seen them faced with eight fixtures in a draining December. 

Fardan admitted he was quite perplexed by this marathon of matches.

He said: “About the schedule, I do not know why they put eight games in one month and the next month you have very little.

“Anyway, we should adapt to the schedule. We must adapt to it, even if you are tired you must adapt and play to our best.”