Beating Baniyas was reward for 'difficult week', admits Al Ahli coach

Quique Sanchez Flores, the Al Ahli coach, believes the club has put its 'most difficult week' behind it after the clinical 4-1 demolition of Baniyas.

The win, which moved the Dubai side up to second in the Pro League, was their first match since the controversial incident during their clash with Al Ain.

But after having that match awarded as a 3-0 loss against them, Sanchez Flores' side bounced back with a comfortable victory over their rivals for second place in the table.

"It was important to separate the last game against Al Ain from the rest of the season," the Spaniard said.

"It was a strong decision against our club in all terms, so, for us it was very important keep a clear mentality of the players in this game, to push for a win.

"We worked together because not only was it tough for the staff, it was tough for the players, the manager, the president Abdullah Al Naboodah. It was tough for everyone who is working inside the club.

"It was perhaps the most difficult week in the season because we tried to eliminate the feeling with respect to the result of the last game, which we did not deserve, and the decision that followed.

"At the moment, the most important thing is that we recover and the feeling that we can fight for the maximum in the league

"Moving up in the league table is very important to continue with the same objectives, to win every week. We will try to win as much as we can this is the mentality we have in our mind."

Jozef Chovanec, the Baniyas coach, felt they were at the receiving end of a backlash from Ahli.

"We went flat against a team that played the best football on the night. We can only put this result behind us and keep fighting for the second position," he said.

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