Hammad: Honoring Our Homeland is The Key Goal of the Boss in the Club World Cup.. Al Ain’s Aspirations in this Mondial Will Never Soar Below the Sky
H.E. Mohammed Obaid “Hammad”, Board Member of Al Ain Football Company and General Supervisor of the First Team and Reserved Football Teams, expressed his sincere congratulations to the UAE wise leadership on the occasion of Al Ain’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup final. “The joy of the leadership and everybody in our dearest homeland for the great performance and strong result of the UAE representative in the FIFA Club World Cup was a major goal for the team. Certainly, the kind words and messages of our leadership following the historic victory over the Libertadores Champions on Tuesday night made all the team’s members happy and reflected the real image of our leaders in showing attention in the achievement made by the representatives of the homeland and all those who carry banners in all areas, especially in football.”
Hammad went on to say: “We also would like to congratulate every Emirati and fan of the UAE football and the Ainawi Nation. It is certain that the interaction and joy of the Emiratis and every resident in UAE and football specialists for the team’s qualification to the final match is deserved. We provoke to Al Might God to redouble their joy in the Club World Cup final.”
On the preparation program for the final match, Hammad stated that the programs are pre-set by the head coach and the only change is to travel to Abu Dhabi to take up again the team’s preparations. “To be at this stage was a dream but the players did it. The coaching team and medical staff have already completed their preparations this morning to make the team ready for the coming challenges. As you know the schedule is very tight and there is no enough time between matches. However, the team will be able to rest in the evening and then gather tomorrow at our camp in Abu Dhabi.”
Commenting on a question about the secret behind the team’s pre-preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup which indicated that Al Ain is certainly leaves nothing for coincidence when it is related to international competitions, he said: “Contrary to other local clubs, Al Ain is certainly has a different situation as the team is accustomed to participating in international and continental tournaments. This year the team boosted their chances in the Club World Cup when they deservedly qualified to the final. This means they are to redouble their efforts and be highly focused.”
“Actually, the players’ joy did not stop by the end of the past season when they clinched the double historic titles, the real joy was when they were able to have the team’s name among other teams competing to win the title of the FIFA Club World Cup. This helped in paying attention to have the team fully ready for this big tournament,” Hammad said
He added: “Certainly, Al Jazira’s participation in the past edition of this competition had a positive impact on all of us. In return, players enjoy high motivations and are determined to go the furthest point in 2018 edition to raise the name of our dear homeland high. Thanks God we are successful to qualify to the final stage and provoke to Almighty God to lead us to success and be able to realize our global ambitions compared to the players’ heroic performance in all their matches.”
As for the chances of the current generation of players who are a step ahead to embrace the glory this year given that they were very close to clinch the title of the AFC Champions League 2016, he said: “It is not a secret to tell you that the pain of losing the title of the AFC 2016 still there. The target was to repeat the historical achievement of 2003. However, playing this year in the FIFA Club World Cup 2018 compensated us for losing the final match of 2016. Our happiness even doubled by the great performance of the squad since the kickoff of this tournament and the new records that will be added to the achievements of the club and the UAE football as a whole.”
Hammad put an accent on the fact that the current generation has left a significant mark in their journey in the 2018 edition of the Club World Cup which coincide with important national events this year which is considered “The Year of Zayed”. “This month also means a lot to us as it witnessed the creation of the UAE union, in addition to the Golden Jubilee of Al Ain Club. I believe that all these factors are a credit to the current generation, the administrative staff, coaching team loyal fans, all the UAE football and all members of this lofty club.”
Commenting on the ceiling of ambitions following the team’s qualification to Club World Cup final, he said: “There is always no specific ceiling for the aspirations of Al Ain who already played against big European and Brazilian teams. When any player holding the logo of Al Ain at his chest, he knows well that football is 11 players against other 11 and the differences are only in the players’ fighting and challenge spirit, desire and determination. These are the factors that led Al Ain warriors to the final match which is a unique opportunity that might not happen again for the current generation of players or the coming generations. Since the team is lucky to be at this stage, we are sure the players will do their best to achieve the desired ambitions.”
On Barman’s health condition following his injury in the semifinal match, he said: “Ahmad Barman has an injury in his leg muscle and he is racing against time to rejoin the squad. At any rate, the medical staff will determine his physical fitness and whether he will be fit to play the coming match within few hours. Definitely, Barman is an added value to the team and if he is not ready to play his replacement is available.”
On the team’s preparations during the post-Club World Cup break, he said: “Following, the robust performance, great efforts and impressive results achieved by the players in the FIFA Club World Cup, they need to recover and relax according to a special program to be ready for their local and continental challenges.”
“We received requests from certain teams to play friendly matches during the coming break period. The decision will be taken as soon as we receive the final list of the UAE National Football Team to be issued by the UAE Football Association which definitely will have names of the Boss stars. I would like also to avail this opportunity to extend my sincere wishes of success for the national team in their mission in Asia Cup- 2018 considering that the FIFA Club World Cup revealed the genuine quality of Emirati football players.”
“It is decided to hold the team’s away camp in Oman’s Sahar during the break, because all Al Ain stadiums and football fields will be handed over to the AFC to be at their disposal during the matches of the Asia Cup- UAE 2019. This is why we would hold an away camp to the players to prepare the other players who will not be part of the list of the national team. unfortunately, we were surprised that that Olympic Team is planning to hold a training camp during the same period of ours.”
He concluded: “We have already taken all the measures and made reservations for the team’s away camp based on the official calendar and programs of the national teams. We do hope that the UAEFA will reconsider the timings of the Olympic Team training camp just to have the right number of players available for our training camp.”
