Playmaker Tomas De Vincenti is convinced Al Shabab will not bear any psychological scars from this weekend’s heavy defeat at fellow finalists Al Ahli when the teams meet again for the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Strikers Makhete Diop and Ahmed Khalil both scored twice on Friday as the Red Knights inflicted a 4-1 hammering in the Arabian Gulf League. This loss was made more troubling by the fact the Dubai outfits had been tied at 1-1 by the hour mark, prior to a combination of slack mistakes by goalkeeper Salem Abdulla and ruthless finishing allowing the top-flight champions to race away with the three points.

On April 1, silverware will be on the line. For summer buy De Vincenti, the showpiece will be determined by whether Shabab can cut out the critical errors which have contributed to just three wins from 17 matches in all competitions rather than any lingering mental damage caused by Friday’s humiliation.

“No, because if we don’t make the same mistakes which we made today, then the game is totally different,” replied the 28-year-old, who has notched seven goals and two assists from his 16 AGL games since joining from Cypriot side APOEL.

“They have good players, who will punish you for the first mistake you make. We have to avoid this. Everybody was very positive at half-time, with good energy. We started the second half very well, so we have to avoid making mistakes – just this.”

Under now-jettisoned coach Fred Rutten, Shabab claimed top spot in the AG Cup’s Group B and breezed past high-flying Al Wasl during the semi-finals. These would prove to be rare bright points, with the otherwise poor results leading to Valencia stalwart Miroslav Djukic being drafted in last month.

De Vincenti revealed progress in the cup had caused a damaging distraction, saying: “It is true that during these months and weeks, the team, has been thinking about our game of the season – the Arabian Gulf Cup final.

“In the league, we have to finish as high as possible. This is because we have to defend our team, our colours and our people.”

Another exacting test awaits on Wednesday when defeated 2016 AFC Champions League finalists Al Ain travel to Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.

“There is something negative in the air for us, that we cannot comeback,” De Vincenti said. “This is hurting us. Next week, we have another difficult game like this one [against Al Ain]. We must look forward and correct the mistakes, while also keeping the good things.”