Hussein El Shahat: Omar Abdul Rahman can experience such an experiment and exhibit the best levels of performance in Europe
I Am Experiencing the Best Days of My Career with the “Boss” Of UAE Football
It Is Premature to Identify the Champ of The League
Salah and Mehrez are Changing the Stereotype of the Arab player
I Had A Dream to Play for Egypt’s National Team In 2018 World Cup in Russia
Amoory is High-Caliber Player and Should Experience Professionalism in Europe
In short, my family is my whole life and the loveliest thing happened to me since my birth until this moment starting from my dear mother, brothers, sisters, my wife and children. Personally, I cling to all members of my family whether the youngest or eldest. I will be happier than I’ve ever been when I have them with me here in Al Ain City, particularly, my wife and children will join me in few days and within days. I will also receive “master of the beloved ones”, my dear mother. Indeed, I have two sons: Ahmad “3 years old” and Aser “2 years”.
What about your childhood!
My childhood was not typical! My father passed away when I was only eight months old. My mother turned to play the roles of my father and mother and everything in my life. Praise be to Allah that she never ever left my walk alone in each step of my life. Following her marriage, her husband was a real father to me and joined my mother to bring me up. Till this moment, I still call him “father” because he spared no effort to help me. Actually, he has the upper hand and credit in driving me to play football and be a professional player as my future career.
What about your academic education?
Personally, I am fully convinced of the importance of education for a professional football player regardless of conditions accompanies the journey of professionalism in the world of football. I am still studying commerce at Alson Higher Institute in the Arab Republic of Egypt and I hope to have all the luck to finish my higher studies.
When did you start playing football?
I have been playing football since I was four years old. The first club I joined in my football career was Nasr City Football Club where I played through all age categories teams. Every coach who supervised Hussein El Shahat had already developed and refined my skills and talent. When I was 12 years old, I played in Junior League and at the age of 19 I was transferred to El Sharkia Sporting Club to play in the second division where I played for two years prior receiving an offer from Misr lel-Makkasa Sporting Club and I spent there four years before joining Al Ain on loan contract.
What were your feelings when you got to know you will join Egypt’s National Team camp in Switzerland?
Sometimes it is very difficult to find suitable words to express the genuine feelings of joy. Indeed, the call I received from Egypt’s Football Association meant a lot to me since joining Egypt’s National Team is a great dream, especially as we are on the verge of our official participation in 2018 World Cup in Russia. I was very happy even if I am selected to play international friendly matches. I hope I will win the confidence of the technical staff to contribute with my colleagues in the national team in achieving the aspirations of all Egyptians and Arabs in the World Cup.
Tell us something about the off records negotiations for joining Al Ain Club?
In point of fact, prior receiving Al Ain’s offer the position of the management of Misr lel-Makkasa Sporting Club was clear, i.e. not to let any player in the team’s lineup go during the winter window of transfer and two offers submitted by Egypt’s Al Ahli and Zamalek Clubs were rejected. However, when the Club’s Chairman, Mohamed Abdul Salam who considers all the players as his sons told me about the offer made by Al Ain FC I did not hesitate and accepted the offer. I did confirm for him explicitly that I have the desire to enter into a professional experience to be the gateway for me to join the “international” list. In his turn, he directly approved my request wishing me all the best of luck.
I do believe that when he recently has announced his full approval for my transfer to Al Ain FC, he paved the way for me to commence my professionalism journey and to start with the “Boss”. Personally, I would not ever mind to move to Al Ain City for several reasons and at the top is that I have not felt at all while in Al Ain City that I am a foreigner, the feeling that always accompanies me when I travel around and I felt like I am at home in Egypt exactly. Since I have arrived here I had a meeting with the management and the players and received all support and assistance. All things were well arranged for me by the technical staff and players to be ready to make the required difference and achieve the desired added value.
What is your assessment of professional experiences of Egyptian players in Europe?
Certainly, Mohamed Salah, El Nini, Al Mohammadi, Ali Jaber, Coca, Trezeguet are Egypt’s proud and ambassadors of Arab football in the strongest international leagues and I do wish them all success. Every player in the world wishes to play in Europe, but no one knows how his future will be. For me, I have never imagined I will join Al Ain and hope that I met the expectations of each member of the “Boss” of all UAE clubs.
What the Emirati player needs to become professional outside the country?
Honestly, the Emirati player has all the potentials to become professional out of UAE and at the top is Omar Abdul Rahman who can experience such an experiment and exhibit the best levels of performance in the strongest European championships. On the other hand, there is a stereotype that the Arab football player is generally not the same as the African player who enjoys super physical and fitness aspects. However, it is proved not true, especially following the stardom of Mohammed Salah and Riyad Mehrez who are placed at the top spot players in Premier League in UK and they are spotted by the biggest European clubs.
What was the impact of commendation of Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports of your top performance?
Firstly, I was so happy to meet H.H. Minister of Youth and Sports, Engineer Khalid Abdul Aziz following the end of the match between Al Ain and Ajman. Absolutely, his commendation of my performance is a great motivation for me to further do my best and to redouble my efforts present an honorable level of performance as a representative of Egyptian football in the UAE league. His commendation boosted my responsibility towards the logo of this great lofty club.
As a player in Egypt’s football league for four seasons, how did you find the UAE league?
As a matter of fact, the Egyptian league is very difficult because of number of teams competing to win the title which are 18 clubs. However, when I played in UAE league I found it different in terms of the number of fans, football fields and clubs as well. I believe it is a strong league and this is proved by selecting it as the best league in Asia based on the fact that UAE clubs, specifically Al Ain, to the furthest stage in the AFC Champions League. Add to that, the fans factor that makes all the difference in motivating players in the pitch and as you know after the unfortunate incidents took place in Port Said Stadium, there is no presence of fans in the Egyptian league. Anyway, I am so proud to play for a club supported by the “Boss” of fans of all UAE clubs.
What are Al Ain’s chances to compete and win the league title this current season?
Al Ain is currently the leading team of the league standing table, but as I have already mentioned to you that UAE league is very strong one and there are currently three key teams competing to be at the top spot. Therefore, it is too early to talk about the champ of the league. I believe the winner of the title will be identified following the crucial rounds scheduled to be held by the end of the current season.
Tell us about your relation with social media sites!
I sometimes follow social media platforms using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, but it is a light usage of such platforms for several reasons, including that they sometimes have negative impact over the player’s preparation for coming matches regardless of the content, whether it is praise or blame comments. Indeed, the most important thing is to deal skillfully and smartly with all messages addressed to you via all these platforms just to get the desired gains and not allow comments posted via such sites to have any negative influences on you. It is a fact that as a professional player you have to plan for the coming challenges of your team and prepare yourself to present the best levels of performance to be able to achieve the set goals of your team along with your teammates.
What about the Gulf sport commentators school?
I think each school has its distinctive color and flavor. Each player is so keen to watch the match on TV to assess his performance level and to correct his mistakes. Additionally, any player enjoys listening to the well-educated commentator who fairly comment on the player and criticize him in an elegant way that absolutely will greatly contribute to the progress of the player through correcting his mistakes. It is not a secret anyway that I am so fond of the Gulf sport commentators’ school.
Are there any habits you insist to do prior the kickoff of any match?
Of course, there are. Before one day of the match I dedicate my free time to recite the holy Quran and pray the night prayers.
What do you say to those who anticipate your failure with Al Ain?
I will say nothing indeed and praise be to Allah for leading me to the right path. I do wish to succeed with Al Ain to snatch the titles of the AFC Champions League, Arabian Gulf League and the President’s Cup just to celebrate the Jubilee anniversary of the golden club in our own way.
Memorable matches!
In the UAE league each game played by Al Ain is a new challenge for me and will remain entrenched in my memory. In Egypt’s league, matches against Al Ahli and Zamalek are always memorable because they represent a different challenge for all clubs and have the highest rates of watching.
A game you wish to take it down from your memory?
The match between my team Misr lel-Makkasa against Al Jaish team in my first season with the team when we lost by 6 goals.
A match you wish to replay?
Matches of such quality are many, but I wish to replay my former team’s match against Egypt’s Al Ahli which was one of the most thrilling matches in the league. We lost to Al Ahli by 0-1 and missed a penalty in the last minute of the match.
A memorable goal?
My first goal in UAE league I scored against Al Wasl which was a crucial match and it was a hot competition between the two teams to be at the top spot of the league. Also, in Egypt’s league when I scored against El Tarsana. At that match I did a great job and presented my quality skills to the extent that those who uploaded the video on YouTube described my goal as Messi-style goal of the second division league.
The happiest moments in your career!
Surely the happiest moments will come when I realize, with Allah’s willing, my ambitions with Al Ain and join the international final list of Egypt’s National Team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. But as for the time being, I am experiencing the best moments in my career since I joined Al Ain squad.
Funniest moment!
Funny situations are many but the most recent happened during our training sessions in preparation for Ajman match. I had a problem in finding the location of the elevator as everytime I go out of my room to pray or to go to the meeting room I lose my way and arrive at a dead end of the corridor, then, I have to go back all the way through and back to square zero and go in the opposite direction. It happened more than four times and every time I was blaming myself. Indeed, the surprise that all my teammates and the administrative staff were having an eye on me and know that I got lost and when I arrive at their location they burst into laughing loudly saying “Again, Shahat! You lost your way!” to the extent I felt ashamed.
Your favorite player!
Cristiano Ronaldo, in addition to Messi and Neymar. At the level of the Arab world Egypt’s Abu Traika.
Your favorite international club!
Real Madrid
Your favorite Emirati player!
Omar Abdel Rahman as well as Ahmed Khalil.
To whom you will grant your best personal awards?
To my mother.
Favorite Stadium?
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Favorite food?
Egyptian meals: Molokhiyya and Mahshi and UAE’s is Mandi with meat
A wish to be achieved?
My special dreams are limited to make my mother, my family and other persons happy. Also, I wish to be lucky enough and realize my life dream and build a mosque. Add to that, I wish to join Egypt ‘s National Team in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and to succeed in my professional career.
