Al Sahbani: Confident Al Ain can achieve the nation’s dream
Despite falling 1-2 to Jeonbuk in the first-leg of AFC Champions League Finals, Al Ain FC is still widely trusted it can make the Emirates-wide goal of winning the AFC champions league title come true next Saturday. This is what the team’s general manager Matar Al Sahbani believes.
He thought Al Ain FC did deserve at least a draw in recognition of its good performance; “After watching how our players fared well, controlled most of the proceedings and wasted some scoring opportunities, I was distressed to waste the chance of winning. Had football been fair, the match should have ended in our favor,” he said.
However, Al Sahbani can still see light at the end of the tunnel; “We’re confident that we will get back on track in the second-leg and we will win the cup to bring joy to our leadership and all Emiratis and Al Ain FC lovers,” he hoped.
Al Sahbani’s optimism is not groundless. He said he felt assured when he saw how the players sympathized and cheered up each other in the locker room at the end of the match.
“In the next leg, our players are required to stay focused, cool-nerved and avoid making haste for victory. They may ensure an early lead, but they should know how to protect it. However, we’ll play our best to beat them,” he continued.
He added another ground to his optimism; “The pitch of Jeonju Stadium was bad and unhelpful compared to our good quality pitch, so the players will play comfortably and fight to seize the opportunity of being the Asian champions.”
“Yet, we shouldn’t feel overconfident and believe that victory is at hand and can be easily achieved by just scoring one goal. We should keep in mind that our South Korean rivals will stubbornly pursue the same end. Therefore, we should maintain the highest degree of attentiveness which will be enhanced by self-confidence and support from everyone.” He concluded.
