All Set to Get Our Goals Done in a Unique Season.. Pedro: Al Ain is a Big Club and Enjoys the Victories Culture
“Al Ain is a big club and has its traditions and culture, i.e., competing to win all titles and winning all matches,” Pedro Emmanuel, head coach of the Al Ain First Football Team, inaugurated the online pre-match press conference of his team against Khorfakkan of playoff stage of the Arabian Gulf Cup.
He added: “To achieve our pre-set goals, we have to be a quality team. I believe we could do so even at the level of selecting the players. It was possible not to sign any new player to the team; however, we now have four new players selected without investing any amounts by the Club Management in this respect. We could achieve our goals relying on the local and resident players. I am the head coach and held responsible for the team, and this is what has happened, and these are the recent updates which we have to live with.”
As for the new season’s preparations, he pointed out this season would be completely different, given that the suspension period lasted for nearly seven months. He indicated that the preparations were not easy and forced the team to hold the training sessions at a small group level before playing some friendly matches.
He also stated that the team did not have the chance to hold the away summer training camp due to the breakthrough of the novel COVID-19.
The Portuguese coach highlighted that the team left the AFC Champions League 2020 following four matches in nine days. “I am happy with the players’ great performance during ACL-2020.”
Commenting on a question on Laba and Wilson’s health conditions, he said: “Laba’s condition is normal. You know that after six months of not playing any match, he exerted massive efforts during the ACL-2020 four matches within only nine days. I am happy with his national team head coach’s decision not to add his name to the team’s lineup. He would receive medical treatment and give him a time to recover and be ready for the next match.”
He also said that Wilson would not join his national football team and would stay with the team to resume his medical treatment. “He was not 100% during the last two matches, and we decided not to expose him to any risks and get seriously injured. I believe he would be ready to play the next game along with Japan’s Shiotani.
Pedro responded to a question on his team preparations for his team’s match against Khorfakkan, saying that we would face particular challenges in the absence of the international and injured players. No easy mission in football and we are playing against a wholly new team, i.e., the new head coach along with new 14 players.”
He stated that his team is missing ten key players, which is the critical challenge he faces. However, he looked at the full part of the cup by stating that the match would be an excellent chance for those selected to do their best and prove that they are up to it.
“It is there chance to prove that we are a good team and fight to the last minute to win not this match only, but also all the competitions. We had bad luck, but I am sure we would be back to the right track.”
