Ghanim Al Hajeri: We Exhibited Heroic Capabilities to Face the Most Difficult Conditions in Tehran
Gives Emphasis to his Confidence in the Players to Reach the AFC Champions League Quarterfinals
Zoran abides by his Contract Term with Al Ain and We Received Local and Foreign Offers for Douglas and Asprilla
Fans’ Support Upkeeps the Morale of the “Boss” High to Overcome the Iranian Team
The Head Coach’s Technical Strategy for the Next Stage is Based on the Club’s Locals
We have been Keen to Identify Challenges with Specialists and to Adopt the Best Professional Practices
H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of Al Ain Football Club Company, underscored his full confidence in the potentials of the “Boss” to reach the 2017 AFC Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Iran’s Esteghlal Tehran Team despite the fact that they lost the recent first leg match by 0-1. He explained, “Al Ain’s players with their high professional competencies, strong desire and the great sense of responsibility to represent UAE in the Asian Championship, in addition to the tremendous support exerted by the fans will be in favor of the “Boss” at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on this coming Monday.”
Al-Hajeri said in a press statement that Al Ain did their best in the first leg match against Esteghlal Tehran and showed high level of professionalism to deal with the conditions they faced in Tehran, which was expected indeed. Add to that the health conditions that the team’s captain, Omar Abdul Rahman, experienced; nevertheless, he was so keen to respond to the call of duty and he proved that he is up to it and showed a great level of accountability as well as his teammates.
He added, “It is certain that football is a game of mistakes and it is a fact that responsibility is always born by everyone. At any rate, Al Ain Team will move forward in their journey of the Asian challenge at a confident pace to achieve their key objective by the end of the current season, particularly all the players unanimously promised to announce Al Ain’s qualification to the quarterfinals at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain City. Definitely, we have no doubt that the stars of the “Boss” would be able to fulfill their promise.”
Al Hajeri commended the significant interaction of the Ainawi Nation with the players and the initiatives they introduced in support of the players via all types of social media in order to boost the team’s morale. It is a sign of their confidence in the “Boss” potentials to win the match against the Iranian team next Monday. It is not an unusual thing, especially that the Ainawi Nation has been featured by their blatant initiatives and ideal support.
In response to a question on Zoran’s request to engage the Brazilian striker, Douglass, in the team’s training sessions, he stated, “Zoran stressed the technical value of the Brazilian striker, despite the circumstances that the player faced recently, especially as he continued to present himself to the coach distinctively each training session. Also, there are several Gulf and local offers to contract with him.”
He went on to say, “Al Ain Management also received offers from Turkish and Chinese clubs to purchase the cards of the Colombian Danilo Asprilla. As a matter of fact, the Management of the Club is awaiting the report of the Croatian Head Coach, Zoran Mamic, due to be handed over after Monday’s match to the Professional Committee whose members are currently examining these requests and are all set to take the appropriate decision which will be in line the Coach’s report.”
Al Hajeri pointed out, “The Board of Directors were so keen to diagnose all challenges with high accuracy with the help of the competent specialists and dealt with these challenges according to the best professional practices by developing the ideal solutions adopted by Al Ain Club Management. Currently, we are running the work in the club by optimal efforts and a great desire to put things back on the right track. Indeed, this needs trust, patience and hope.”
Commenting on the question on the key headlines of Zoran’s report based on the discussions with the Club Management on his requirements for the new football season, Al Hajeri stated that, “It is not a secret anyway and I can say that the Coach and the Management agreed that he would submit a detailed report including all the requirements of the team in the next stage and the quality and position of the foreign players. However, things will be related to the team’s local or Asian matches in the next season.”
As for the reason behind not tackling the qualities of the local players, he explained,” The good level exhibited by all the players of Al Ain Football Academy called by Zoran recently has promoted the Coach’s desire to decide not to renew some of the players contracts and to limit his options by calling Emirati players in accordance with the policy of just attracting the club’s players during the coming seasons. The Coach’s decisions are the most prominent factors led to the satisfaction of the Club’s Management.”
Concerning reports associated with Zoran’s leaving Al Ain FC and the transfer of certain players to other competitive clubs by the end of the current season, he said, “All the news talking about the departure of Zoran Mamic are fake ones. Our contract with the Croatian Coach extends for a season and a half. However, rumors remain part of the football game and such a phenomenon escalates by the end of each season. The creators of such rumors are always targeting a big name for the purpose of rapid spread and absolutely they will not find a club of great value and prestige as Al Ain in whole UAE to add credibility to their fake news.”
He added, “There are people who try to have negative impact on Al Ain Team by promoting rumors of the departure of the coach and the transfer of certain players. Yet, we are so contented and happy with Zoran’s efforts and we are still waiting for more. I do believe that the Club’s Management, players, administrative staff, Al Ain’s fans and each member of this great big club have full trust in the Coach’s capabilities to bring about the desired addition not only to the team but also to the entire competition.”
