“Amoory” is Staying with Al Ain.. Zoran: Al Ain & Al Wahda Match is not A “Derby”
“The best player in Asia, Omar Abdul Rahman, is staying with Al Ain Squad,” Croatia’s Head Coach of Al Ain FC said in the pre-math press conference dedicated for Al Ain against Al Wahda in the first leg match in the quarterfinal of Arabian Gulf Cup. He further explained: “There is no negative impact on the team’s performance in the past or coming matches due to the delay in signing “Amoory’s” contract. I am quite sure he will sign his contract as soon as he returns back upon the conclusion of the Arabian Gulf Cup 23 in Kuwait and will play key role in achieving the best results.”
Responding to a question on his assessment of the match against Al Wahda in the coming “Derby”, he said: “I think that when your team is missing more than 90% of its real strength, it’s very difficult to name the match as “Derby” or “Clasico” for any confrontation under such circumstances. It is a fact that history is ruthless and will not mention that match except the result regardless of anything else.” He went on to say: “I believe that the scales of “justice” are not implemented to the level required in this competition which is played during the period of suspension due to UAE National Team commitments. I do hope that there will be a regulation requiring clubs to involve 50% of the reserve teams in all matches of this competition, but it is difficult to change anything at this time.”
“Al Ain is a great team and the reality confirms that his squad is one of the strongest clubs in the continent of Asia, so Al Ain is always required to maintain its top image in all challenges under any circumstances,” added he. He pointed out: “In Friday’s match, we will give the opportunity to new young faces who did not have the chance to play official matches to prove their eligibility to be within the choices of the team in next stage.”
“Al Ain can play as a national team because we have nearly 11 international players in its lines. Indeed, those who wish to win championships must deal with the situation realistically. Once any team in the world misses one key player, the team will suffer a negative impact in that position of that player, so you can imagine the situation when you are missing 15 players. This is why we have to be realistic when we deal with any situation and to set up our goals according to the available capacities. Also, we have to be smart when we deal with any situation at all levels as a technical team, players and even the fans,” said he
He pointed out: “We are well aware that our mission against Al Wahda will not be easy. We will play this clash with great desire to improve the image of the team compared to the match we played against Al Nasr in order to achieve a positive result in the first leg match specially we are playing on our ground and among our fans. We are required to show the spirit of challenge and enthusiasm and desire to achieve the best result.”
On the names he nominated to Al Ain FC Management to enhance the team’s lines during the winter transfers window, he said: “When you enter the transfer market, you are looking for quality players who can make the difference to the team. As I mentioned earlier. Al Ain is a big team and needs no players currently but there are certain positions where we need to enhance it as wingers and midfielders. What I am sure of is that big names are playing to big teams who are not willing to let their best players go.”
On the reports that Al Ain is negotiating the international striker Ahmad Khalil, he said: “I do not think anyone knows whether the player is still tied to a contract with Al Jazira or not. He is a good player and personally I would be happy to have quality players such as: Ali Mabkhout, Ahmad Khalil and other international players.”
He concluded the conference saying that Amer Abdulrahman and Tsukasa Shiotani will certainly not participate in the coming match against Al Wahda.
