Confirmed Doumbia is Nominated to be Included in the Team’s Lists in 2019/2020 Season.. Hammad: Holding Esteghlal To Draw is The Starting point for the Boss in ACL 2019
Mohammed Obaid Hammad, Board Member of Al Ain Football Company and Supervisor of the First and Reserved Teams, hailed the team’s performance against Esteghlal Tehran in round 2 of ACL 2019 held in the capital Tehran. “Every one of them did his best on the pitch and they were able to overcome all the challenges they faced and fill in the gaps due to inevitable absences by exhibiting the strong charisma of the Boss and the spirit of the one team.”
Commenting on the result of the match, Hammad said that it was acceptable, and fair compared to the circumstances faced by the team faced while playing before such massive number of spectators. However, he underlined that such a good result will be worthless if the team does not win in the second leg match.
He added: “Football rewards the best and the most diligent. Following conceding the first goal we were able to regain the balance in the right manner and be back to the match atmosphere. We hope that the result of the game will be a good starting point to win the opponent in the second leg match to boost our fortunes in the competition and be able to snatch one of the two qualifying cards to the last 16-team stage.”
On the reason behind keeping Marcus Berg on the bench, he said: “The Swedish player felt severe pain in the throat due to inflammation following the end of the final training session. Initial medical tests confirmed that he was not ready to participate from the kick-off whistle. Nevertheless, he showed a real desire to be included the substitutions list and the head coach approved his request. He will have medical examinations once we the team returns back to Al Ain City.”
Commenting on the secret behind the Boss’ honourable performance despite the hard conditions which the team faced, he pointed out: “There is no password for such a great performance, as much as players showed high level of seriousness and determination to perform well during the continental challenge. Not to forget also the players’ good preparation to compensate for the loss in the round 1 match and back for the competition and the support and guidance of the team’s head coach Juan Carlos Garrido to his players before and during the game.”
Hammad hailed the players who did not participate with the team since a long time by saying: “Last year in the last 8-team stage, we played the first leg match at Azadi Stadium against Esteghlal and we lost it by 0-1. Seven players who participated in that match did not play in today’s match. However, all the players selected by the head coach were up to it and in the required level of readiness. They were only required to win the opponent by doing their best and showing their fighting spirit. They were able to do so starting from Khaled Eisa who succeeded in saving his net from several dangerous shots, as well as the back-line players who were organized and playing in a balanced style,”
As for Doumbia and that some feel sorry for not including his name in the local competitions, Hammad said: “Hamed Doumbia has shown great quality skills and was able to make the difference with the team. The Club’s management is held liable for not adding his name to the team’s list and give him the chance to play in local competitions. At any rate, the Club’s strategy in including any player’s name in the team’s list is tied to the head coach’s vision and his decision who is to be included in the team’s list. Indeed, the decision taken by the former head coach of Al Ain FC, Zoran Mamic, was to keep him out of the team’s list at that time and the Professionalism Committee approved his decision.”
He added: “We have already missed his quality services in the league competition compared to his physical capabilities, his fighting spirit and quality skills he enjoys, but he works to compensate all of that in the AFC Champions League.”
He signed off: “If he continues playing with the same level and higher, he might be one of the candidates to play officially in all local and international competitions.”
