I am very proud of Soufiane Rahimi’s performance

Hernán Crespo: We are required to show the spirit of victory during all matches in order to compete in all tournaments

The new players are working very hard to defend Al-Ain’s flag, which is a great responsibility and the team’s sought-after goals are very clear

Hernán Crespo, the Argentine manager of Al-Ain FC, affirmed that we have a great opportunity for a powerful return to the competition to claim the title of the local Pro League tournament during the current season, he elaborates: “Our preparations to meet Khor Fakan at the beginning of our journey during the local tournament of ADNOC Pro League, in the match that is scheduled to take place on the evening of Saturday, the day after tomorrow on Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, are going very well and in my opinion, our match vs Ittihad Kalba during the competitions of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup was a good “rehearsal” to take on the upcoming match on Saturday, the day after tomorrow.”

Commenting on a question about the new players, who, most recently, the team has announced contracting with, he said: “During the previous conference I extended my gratitude to the players who left the team’s list and we are in the process of building a new team, so ahead of us there are great challenges and certainly the building process is not my responsibility alone. So, yes, I am the leader here but there is a specific system according to which we are working in the club to realize the sought-aftergoals during this exceptional season.”

Over the great challenges that are awaiting “Al-Zaeem” during the current season and over the fortification of the team’s ranks with new young players and exceptional talents, he said: “We are well aware of what is required from us during this legendary season for the club, so everyone who is affiliated with Al-Ain is well aware of the great value and big status of this entity, accordingly the new players are well aware that defending Al-Ain’s jerseyis a great responsibility and we will be giving them the chance and help them to perform very well and show their best in order to please our  Ainawi fans.”

Commenting on the ambitions of his team who is competing to claim the title of global tournaments, in which the team is defending the name of the United Arab Emirates football as well as the local tournaments, he said: “We know how big the responsibility is on our shoulders, accordingly we will be showing the spirit of triumphs while competing to claim the title of all tournaments, so we can finish the season on the coronation podiums, but we are talking now over the local Pro League tournament especially that today’s conference is related to the day after tomorrow’s, on Saturday, match vs Khor Fakkan during the competition of ADNOC Pro League, and everyone is well aware that the offshore tournaments are an ambition, a goal, and a dream, and we have managed during the previous season to claim the title of AFC Champions League.”

Over how ready is Soufiane Rahimi to engage with the team in their match vs Khor Fakkan, he said: “In the beginning, I am very proud and happy with Soufiane Rahimi’s performance during the previous season, as well as the improvement he managed to achieve, so this is his time and he deserves to play with his country’s national football team and to claim the bronze medal, so my confidence is limitless and I think that he is always ready to play during all matches.”