Grafite asks Ahli to keep foot on the gas

Grafite, the Al Ahli captain, said Al Ahli must not rest on their laurels in the race for the Arabian Gulf League title.

Grafite, left, is asking his Al Ahli teammates not to reset on their laurels and to keep their foot on the gas until the season ends. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Grafite, the Al Ahli captain, said the team must not rest on their laurels in the race for the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) title.

The Brazilian helped the first-place side record a convincing 4-1 victory against Baniyas on Thursday night to maintain the club's six-point lead over second-place Al Shabab.

With seven rounds remaining, it appears Ahli are set for their first league trophy since 2009, especially since they have been defeated only twice in 19 AGL matches this season.

However, Grafite reminded his teammates that difficult assignments lie in wait once league play resumes next month, following a four-week break, including daunting trips to the two sides directly below them – Shabab and Al Jazira. Next up are the club they are attempting to wrest the title from, Al Ain.

"We are in a good way, but we have seven games, so seven steps," Grafite said. "And they will not be easy because we still have to play Al Jazira and Al Shabab, and have Al Ain in the next game in the league.

“It’s the biggest game and you don’t know what will happen – you can win, lose or draw. We have these seven steps and we’ll try our best to finish the league as champions.”

Much has been made about matters off the pitch, as Cosmin Olaroiu, the Ahli coach, continues to serve a six-month touchline ban. Last week, he was given a suspended three-month sentence for defaming Al Ain, his former club.

While the controversy behind the scenes could be expected to disrupt the players’ performance in the league, Grafite insists Ahli remain focused.

“This is the way Cosmin works us: to be prepared to be champions,” he said. “If you’re not prepared to be champions, you cannot achieve it. Sometimes, we make mistakes in the game, but if we continue to play the way we played [against Baniyas] and are prepared to be champions, we can do it. The league is not so easy, but we have a big chance.”

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