Arriving at Jeonju, Al Ain delegation to S.K met by AFC
Filled with determination to win the 2016 AFC Champions League title, Al Ain FC delegation headed by H.E Mohamed Obeid ‘Hammad’ – Al Ain FC Board member and Team Supervisor- arrived at Muan International Airport in South Korea this evening, where their trip and the awaited match versus Jeonbuk will get complete media coverage by Abu Dhabi Sport TV Channel and S. Korean media.
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The delegation was received at the airport by a number of UAE embassy officials headed by Consul Ahmad Al Dahmani in addition to representatives of the South Korean Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors team who are hosting the first-leg of the AFC Champions League finals.
The conditions of Jeonju stadium to host the AFC first-leg were discussed in a meeting held by some representatives of the Asian Football Confederation with H.E Mohamed Obeid Hammad and Jeonbuk delegation, Hammad made clear that Al Ain believes the first-leg must be hosted at one of Asia’s most iconic stadiums to give a good image of the most powerful championship in Asia especially that Al Ain plans to host the second-leg at one of the best stadiums in the world Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Hammad confirmed that Al Ain FC is quite ready to take the challenge of playing the first-leg even in the most unfavorable conditions; “We’re absolutely confident that Al Ain FC is worthy to stand on the AFC podium, because it has some of the best players in Asia and each one of them is determined to accomplish this ultimate aim.
AFC representative and Competitions Director Pafil (Kyrgyzstan) appreciated Al Ain FC delegation’s understanding of the AFC insistence to host the first-leg at Jeonju Stadium.
Addressing Hammad’s point, “We’re closely working with the Jeonbuk club management to improve the pitch and we ensure you it will be at the best condition when Al Ain FC carry out their main training session ahead of the game.” Pafil said
The AFC delegation gave Al Ain FC just one option of training at Jeonbuk stadium which is as far as one and a half hours by bus from its hotel. The option was not welcomed by Al Ain FC’s Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić who wanted to spare his men the exhausting trip to the proposed stadium following a half-day flight from UAE to Seoul and a 2-hour bus trip from Muan Airport to the hotel. Instead, Zlatko prefers to give his players a light training session on Thursday at a playground near to their hotel even on a rental basis. However, he will discuss the main training venue with Al Ain FC management.
Al Ain FC warmly received in S. Korea
The Best Western Hotel management placed a 3 m² screen at the lobby welcoming Al Ain delegation. The screen displayed a video clip in South Korean and English welcoming phrases expressing the management’s pleasure to accommodate WAFF Champions.
Hammad thanked the hotel management for their warm initiative which was also appreciated by all members of Al Ain FC delegation. “Certainly, the most meritorious team will be Asia’s single trophy winner; while the runner-ups will no different than the last one,” he commented.
He reminded that Al Ain FC has advanced to the AFC champions League finals three times and made won the 2003 title. “To be the champions of the 2016 edition, Al Ain FC needs to notch victory up at the second-leg at HBZ Stadium. We trust that our players can make this dream come true.” He concluded.
