Al Ain foreign players appear in national costume signaling their love to UAE
In a gesture that drew applause from their Emirati teammates, Al Ain foreign players wore the national costume to signal their passion for UAE.
“From the very moment I arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport,” said the Brazilian Caio Lucas, “I liked the country where everything is unique. In particular, I liked Al Ain City for its fantastic landscaping, impressive tranquility and great historical landmarks.”
He said he found the Arabic names difficult to pronounce before he had joined Al Ain, but later they rolled off his tongue after dealing with his teammates; “To be given a name that goes with my national costume, I prefer Mohamed,” he said.
Though he most favors his goal against the Uzbek Lokomotiv in the AFC quarterfinals, Caio thinks his most important goal has to come yet; “I still have to score in the AFC final and then we hope to reach the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup. Each goal matters most in each stage. Hopefully, my teammates and I will be able to score and bring joy to all Emiratis and Al Ain fans in particular,” he added.
Commenting on their qualification for the AFC final, Caio thanked the management, technical staffs, players and fans for their complementary roles; “Everyone had a hand from their positions in this qualification. However, our real achievement is when we are crowned champions repeating the 2003 scenario and everyone in the country is overjoyed,” he hoped.
He admitted that they had undergone difficult moments during their second-leg versus El Jaish and felt it was a challenge; yet it was very exciting to overcome those moments; “Thankfully, we managed to get through those tough moment thanks to our team spirit, determination to reach the final and great support by our fans,” he explained.
Al Ain’s Determination
To the Colombian Danilo Asprilla, each person who happens to live in this good country cannot help but love and feel attracted to it; “This is how I feel every moment here. I really wish all the best for its leaders, citizens and expats,” he said.
His most favorite Arabic name is ‘Mohamed’; “To me, it’s the most common and easiest name; if I were an Arab, I’d prefer to be named Mohamed,” he added.
He saw his goal against Al Dhafra was the most important one since he was contracted by Al Ain; “I think when you wear Al Ain jersey, you’re required to score your most significant goal in each stage. Hopefully, I can score important goals in the coming games,” he commented.
He attributed wasting a number of easy goals to lack of luck that inflicts each footballer; “I feel sad when I fail to score, but I feel I’m lucky to be always supported and encouraged by the management, coach and teammates to score,” he justified.
He regarded they merited the qualification for the AFC final given their preparations and great support from their fans; “They really motivated us and boosted our determination to reach the final. However, it’s not enough to qualify for the final; hopefully, our joy will be complete when we win the title.” He concluded.
Douglas Prefers ‘Al Hamdaniya’
Douglas Dyanfres believes that each UAE national and expat feels attached to this good country because they are respected; “Personally, I wish I could spend the rest of my life in UAE; it’s perfect and like no other country; each country wants to follow its example,” he said.
Regarding his most favorite name and new costume, Douglas said: “I prefer to be named Khalid. I wanted to wear Ghutra (head cover) in ‘Issameh and Hamdaniya’ style; it’s closer to sportsmen and fits me; so Danilo and Lee changed their mind and didn’t put on Ikaal (head band); but Caio insisted to put on Ghutra and Ikaal,” he explained.
After qualification for the final, Douglas saw they came much closer to the AFC title which will hopefully lead them to the FIFA Club World Cup; “I have already played in that championship and hope to re-live it with Al Ain which deserves to reach there,” he added.
“My most significant goal has to come yet,” he continued, “To me, each goal is like a nice story starred by the whole team but written by the scorer himself; that’s why each goal stays on my mind.”
Al Ain City is Unique
Al Ain’s South Korean defender, Lee Myung-Joo, was happy to wear the Emirati costume when he appeared in Esportistas program streamed by Dubai Sports TV Channel. “My family and I love UAE a lot because it’s a country of love, security, progress and peace,” he said.
He liked the photos taken to him and was excited to spend a complete day in the national costume, but it was not that attire which attaches him to UAE; “More than this, it’s the nice feelings of missing Al Ain City and its people when you’re even for a few hours away from it,” he explained.
He prefers all Al Ain players’ names without discrimination; “However, I said once on a satellite TV channel that ‘Mansoor’ is my favorite Arabic name,” he pointed out.
To Lee, it is not important which South Korean team (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and FC Seoul) he prefers to play the final against; “Most importantly is to win the title and delight all Emirati football fans,” he clarified.
He denied that he would be under any pressure in his home country when Al Ain plays the final there; “I’m quite familiar with both South Korean semifinalists when I used to play for Pohang Steelers; I think Pohang fans will stand by Al Ain in the final.” He concluded.
