Al Sahbani: we were overwhelmed with pride during the Asian draw ceremony
Matar Obaid Al Dhaheri “Al Sahbani”, manager of the first football team at Al Ain Club, who headed the club’s delegation to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia to attend the 2017 AFC Champions League draw, explained how proud the remarkable presence of Al Ain’s logo made him before, during and after the Champions League draw ceremony.
“Since we entered the reception hall, we were thrilled to see how the AFC made sure they placed Al Ain FC’s logo everywhere. They also put the number ‘10’ jersey, which held the name of the best player in Asia, on display along with static advertising of the draw ceremony, which were filled with photos of Al Ain’s two ‘international’ stars, Ismail Ahmed and Omar Abdulrahman.” He added.
During his speech following the AFC Champions League draw, Al Sahbani said, “The video footage displayed by the AFC featured Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, one of the best football stadiums in the world, as well as the high technical capabilities of Al Ain FC’s players during the previous edition of the continental championship, the audience’s thrilling interaction and the magnificent terraces crowded with the most beautiful motivational signs before the start of the game. All of this created a scene far more beautiful than the ones we see in East Asia.
That alone filled us with pride, especially our stadium, which is a true embodiment of luxury in terms of the football industry, the players’ stardom and the masses’ greatness.”
In his response to a question about what he thought of the draw, Al Sahbani said, “There is no doubt that Al Ain is strong, but ‘the Boss’ fears no team in the continent, and all teams who play against Al Ain are aware that they are facing a pretty tough opponent. We are obliged to prepare well for the new edition, and I wish the team all the best in achieving their goal and winning the 2017 AFC Champions League”.
