I Have Identified Players I Could Count on Them in the Next Stage.. Zoran: Arabian Gulf Cup is the Least of My Worries out of Current Season’s Four Competitions
In the post-match press conference held following the end of the return match between Al Ain and Al Wahda of the Arabian Gulf Cup quarterfinals, Croatia’s Zoran Mamic, Head Coach of Al Ain First Football Team, stated that his team did not deserve better than the result they gained out of tonight’s match. He further explained: “I do not know what to say following such a loss. Players were not lucky enough and committed lots of mistakes during the whole match.”
Commenting on a question on his team’s severest loss since last 10 years, he said: “This is true! Certainly, Al Ain squad has quality players who enjoy the professional mentality and “international” experience, but my team did not appear in the required level against Al Wahda tonight and their performance was very poor. Indeed, I am not happy by it all!” He added: “On the other hand, in each match there are certain advantages whatever how bad the result is. For me, I have already decided who are the players I could count on them in the coming matches.”
On the secret behind selecting inexperienced players specially in the back line in today’s match, he said: “As you know, Al Ain was fighting in four fronts and now they become three following this match. Few days ago, we played a tough match against Al Hilal in Riyadh, and next Tuesday we are scheduled to play the second round of the AFC Champions League. Therefore, I decided to give some players a break and I do apologize for the club and fans for such a loss.”
“We are planning to finish this current season in the right manner. If we won this match and qualified to semi-final match, this would mean missing nearly 10 “international” players as it coincides with UAE National Team camp in Thailand,” said he.
“I do respect the regulations of the Arabian Gulf Cup, but there are teams who play with full squad against team missing large number of “international” players. For example, the first leg match against Al Wahda we were playing without 10 “international” players who had joined UAE National Team, while Al Wahda missed their goalkeeper and another player only! For me, in sequence this competition is the last one to show interest in out of the four competitions in which Al Ain is playing,” stated he.
On the influence of tonight’s match result on the team’s performance in the coming match of the AFC Champions League, he stressed: “Actually, the result of this match is bad but absolutely it has no impact on our Tuesday’s confrontation to be held at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. My team is fully ready for the second round of the AFC Champions League.”
