Al Hajeri: Shiotani was Zoran’s First Choice
H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of Al Ain Football Club Company, expressed his sincerest gratitude and deepest appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, the First Vice President of Honorary Board and Chairman of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club for His Highness’ incessant generous care and substantial support furnished to the Club to achieve its desired goals. Such support that goes in line with the Club’s strategic vision which is to provide everything that can be a drive for success as long as the goal is to promote the Ainawi entity and cheer up the Club’s loyal fans who bravely and with wholehearted stand behind the victories and achievements as well as the positive causes.
Al Hajeri stressed that the contract signed with the new defensive midfielder was based on the report submitted by the Croatian Head Coach Zoran Mamic who underlined the importance of enhancing Al Ain squad and its all lines so that he could achieve the planned goals set to be realized in the coming season. He added, “Absolutely, the Asian player was Zoran Mamic’s first option with the agreement of all members of the Professional Technical Committee. Indeed, the secret behind his choice lies in the player’s high technical potentials which give him the advantage to play in more than one position in the field.”
He went on to say, “There were serious attempts to retain the South Korean player, Lee Myung-joo, within Al Ain squad and had already contacted the concerned through several channels to extend his contract for another season out of a mutual desire between the Club and the player, but our request was not open to question according to South Korea’s laws and regulations.”
H.E. Al Hajeri pinpointed the player’s features stating that “Shiotani is a player who enjoys a robust fighting spirit and a leading charisma in the pitch. Additionally, he is capable of playing in more than one position starting from the center as defensive midfielder, center-back and right-back, other than enjoying an offensive tendency and building attacks from the midfield.”
Responding to a comment to the extent of his adaptation with the weather conditions and his teammates, he said, “I believe that adaptation is no longer an issue in the world of football since the whole world has already become a very small village. I can assure you that we do not have any concerns regarding the existence of a Japanese player in the region, especially UAE is hosting on its lands plenty of communities.” He concluded his statement saying, “I am sure that he will enjoy a unique experience with Al Ain FC which is looked at as the most famous Asian club and the most popular at the local level, and above that the club with the strong personality in the continental competition at the level of the region because it is simply the Boss.”
