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Al Ahli’s Flores rues missed chances

Al Ahli coach Quique Sanchez Flores believes his team can only have themselves to blame after sliding to defeat at home to a resurgent Ajman XI.

The Red Knights looked to be on course for their first three-point haul in this season’s Etisalat Cup thanks to Luis Jimenez’s 19^th-minute opener.

However, Ahli’s failure to capitalise on a succession of other first-half opportunities meant the visitors were always in with a chance of taking something from this second-round encounter.

They snatched delight from the depths of despair too, with Founeke Sy and Boris Kabi stealing the victory out of Ahli’s grasp late on. “We had our chances in the first half, where we had a lot of attempts and shots against the post,” the Spaniard, 47, explained. “Then, in the second half, we had a lot of problems with the ball. We lost too much of the play and misplaced too many passes.

“The belief of our opponents grew as a result and we finally conceded two goals. There were too many errors in the second half, so the final score was no surprise for me. “When you make errors: that lead to goals; in your attempts at goal and in your defensive line, you usually lose the game. It’s normal.”

Flores nonetheless wasn’t too perturbed to have lost in the circumstances in a cup competition that isn’t seen as a “priority” for his club. The Etisalat Pro-League and President’s Cup understandably carry more weight and he is confident this reverse won’t have a remote bearing on their form in those two tournaments.

“Next Sunday (against Al Shabab in the Etisalat Pro-League) is another competition for the team,” he added. “It’s different; everything is next weekend.

alex@khaleejtimes.com