Al Ain Team Flies Back Home Via Private Jet.. Issam Abdullah Stresses: Atmosphere of Croatia and Slovenia Pre-Season Training Camp was Positive
Al Ain First Football Team mission has arrived in Al Ain International Airport this early morning via a private jet following completing the 35-day preseason away training camp (13 July- 17 Aug.) held in Slovenia and Croatia.
During the away camp, Al Ain plays a total of six matches including the two official matches against Algeria’s ES Sétif of round 32 of the Arab Club Champions Cup held at Maksimir Stadium of Dinamo Zagreb. Al Ain lost the first leg match to ES Setif by 2-1 and won the return match by 1-0. Though the total result of the two matches is 2-2, the “Black Eagle” qualified to the last 16-team stage as per the regulations of the championship which grant the advantage to the hosted team scoring more goals against the home team.
As for the rest four friendly matches, Al Ain lost the first two to Croatia’s Inter Zaprešić and Varazine by 0-3 and 1-2 respectively. In the last two matches against Slovenia’s Koper and Croatia’s HNK Gorica, Al Ain was held at a draw by 2-2.
Al Ain’s strike force scored 7 goals during the six matches held the signature of Ibrahim Diaky “4 goals” and a goal for Brazile’s Caio Lucas, Sweden Marcus Berg and Hazma Mhanayeh, while conceding a total of 11 goals.
Issam Abdullah, Al Ain Team Administrative Manager, hailed the players’ commitment and seriousness during the away camp. He stressed: “The training programs were implemented as per the plan set by Zoran Mamic and his technical assistants. Indeed, the team had a vibrant strong clash matches against Croatian and Slovenian teams. Also, the team played two matches against Algeria’s ES Sétif as part of round 32 of the Arab Club Champions Cup and we did attain the desired gains.”
“The Boss squad concluded the camp by two friendly matches and the last was against Croatia’s premier league team, HNK Gorica,” added he.
He underlined the fact that Zoran was so keen to engage all the team players, including the two new arrivals, Saad Khamis and Jamal Marouf. He also included Mohammed Abdul Rahman to play full 90 minutes. “I am sure that the technical staff has achieved the desired goal out of the away camp.”
“The head coach has assessed the actual potentials of the players who engaged them in that camp including the UAE born and resident players,” said he. Issam Abdullah pointed out: “His immense satisfaction for all the players’ seriousness and commitment. The team’s performance improved gradually form one match to another and the most important thing that we do not have major injuries among the players during this so important phase in preparation for the new season which is one of the head coach’s key targets.”
He signed off “Training sessions will go on, specially the international players have joined the team, until we fly to Cairo to meet Al Wahda in the big match of the Arabian Gulf Super Cup.”
