Al Ahli's Chronic Lack of Firepower

When Al Ahli beat Al Wasl 4-1 at the beginning of this UFL season, the fans of the Red Knights would have rightfully been optimistic of the season that lay ahead. After bringing in a top class coaching team from Europe, signing two players from Italy and Germany (one having captained his country to the World Cup and won FIFA World Player of the Year) and bringing in proven talent Pinga, many had high hopes for the Dubai outfit. Their first home game saw their new Brazilian midfielder bag his first goal as well as a double from former Al Ain star Ahmed Khamis and a fine finish from teenage sensation Ahmed Khalil in a one sided affair.

Sadly for Al Ahli, this superb performance did not lay down a marker for the rest of the season; in fact it was to be the one major highlight of a mediocre campaign. Pinga increased his goal tally two weeks later in a 2-2 draw with Kalba then Ahmed Khamis added to his own and Burkinabe striker Aristide Bance opened his account before being dismissed in an unlucky 2-2 draw with Al Jazira. The inconsistency that would blight the season was becoming apparent but at least the goals appeared to be flying in.

Al Ahli seemed to be on the verge of a revival in November after a 5-2 Etisalat Cup victory over Sharjah with goals again coming from Khamis and Pinga in addition to a Bance hat-trick but it was to prove a false dawn as the Red Knights would not experience that winning feeling again until late December.

The victories over Al Wasl and Sharjah stand out as two fantastic team performances from Al Ahli with goals aplenty. However early January would result in another turning point for the club when it was announced Bance was departing to Qatar. At the time many believed Al Ahli would fill their foreign quota with another striker but instead opted for Moroccan defensive midfielder Karim El Ahmadi from Feyenoord.

This decision could be factored in to the recent poor performance of the team. While Bance was perhaps a disappointment in the amount of Pro-League with only two goals, it is fair to say his presence has been missed. Bance, a strongly-built yet technically good striker, played through the middle of the Al Ahli strike force often accompanied by young Ahmed Khalil or his brother Faisal. A man to mark, Bance would drag defenders away from goal leaving space for his teammates as well as holding up possession and providing passes for the likes of Khamis and Khalil to run onto. Since his departure, Ahli’s play has been one-dimensional. Though the team have not struggled with possession or creating chances, they often look like there is no plan B.

After Bance’s decision to leave the club, Al Ahli have played eight competitive games; winning two, drawing four and losing two, scoring a measly four goals in the process. Three of these goals were from Pinga, two of which were penalties. Al Ahli have become over-reliant on the Brazilian as the clubs other attackers are simply not good enough to play up front on their own. Ahmed Khalil has struggled particularly in the lone striker role with a lack of support and a preference to run wide rather than straight to goal. Now with David O’Leary’s job in jeopardy his decision to let the Burkinabe striker go could come back to haunt him.

Roy Aitken, assistant to the Irishman, said after Thursday’s President’s Cup defeat to Al Wasl, “We had three clear opportunities as did Al Wasl but the difference was they took theirs.” This is the problem for Al Ahli. Their good teamwork is being undermined by an inability to stick the ball in the net. A lack of direct penetration of the defense and clinical striking has meant the club will collect no trophies this year, unacceptable to most fans. Unless the players get their shooting boots on soon there could be severe recriminations for the whole team.