Ismail Ahmed: Encountering Al Ain is a Championship for Competitors
Tell us about your family?
My family consists of my wife and three boys: Yasser 6 years, Abdullah 4 years and Zayed 3 months.
Do you think a football player is relatively falling short regarding his responsibilities towards his family?
I think that each husband has the sense of default because of his desire to provide an ideal life for his family regardless the type of his work. However, this feeling seems to be positive for my family because it is associated with my work and it is acceptable for them, especially that the football player is required to travel often with the club and the national team. Yet, upon returning back home, family should be compensated for the absence period by staying with them and fulfilling all their needs.
When will your children start blaming you?
It happens always when I am travelling abroad, especially when I join long training camps because I assure them sometimes that I will be away for few days, but when they discover it takes more than that they start blaming me for not keeping my promise. As you know, kids got strong memories and so we have to fulfill our promises just to make them happy.
How and when do you make them happy?
Certainly, I seek their forgiveness and try to make them happy as soon as I return back home. They consider my presence with them following a long period of staying away is like a happy surprise. I always seek to fulfill their requests and make them happy in the right manner.
Do you have time to review your children their school homework?
To be honest with you, my wife takes care of this issue considering my involvement in training sessions and matches and by the time I return back home I usually find them asleep, besides the issue of travelling abroad. Yet, when I have any spare time in the morning I try my best to compensate them by following up their achievements. I always encourage them by giving them incentives when they achieve excellent results, besides calling them to ask them about their school day when I am at the hotel of the training camp.
Describe your relationship with the social media network?
I think social media network are not necessary for a football player and I know that many people may disagree with me. I used to have an official social media account for a certain period of time, but I find them making me busy and have no time to do my duties whether at the level of family or even at work which are more important.
What are the pros and cons of these sites?
The negatives points of these sites are related to undesirable behaviors of few users which is rejected. Sometimes, some of the users express their angry views by being prejudice to the family and at this time such comments make the family members so frustrated. As for the positives, it could be used for disseminating the constructive criticism that benefits the player and the team as a whole.
How did Ismail Ahmed become a defender?
It was only the coincidence that led me to be a defender instead of being a striker. I still remember the first time I played as a defender and I was 17 at that time when my coach decided to change my position and sent me to the back lines to play as center back following sending off our team’s defender in the first half. I thought the coach would send me back when he would enter another defender to enhance the back line, but he surprised me with his decision and told me you were the right man in these circumstances. We won that match amid hysterical joy and in the training session that followed the match, the coach said to me if you want to move forward in the world of football do not change your position. His words were so stimulating, and since then I am playing as a defender.
If your time goes back, would you play as a defender?
Yes, but I will be keen to be committed to be trained as a defender so as to have the structure and charisma of a defender since junior stages. I started to have be trained to be a defender after the age of 15.
The most important challenges you faced after joining Al Ain?
Actually, the most important challenge for me was to make the fans of the “Boss” happy through great performance which is consistent with the aspirations of the “Ainawi Nation” to defend the logo of the “Boss”.
A memorable goal!!
The goal I scored in the back nets of Al Wahda in the 94th minute. At that match the result was 2-1 and we were able to equalize at a crucial moment of the match and exactly with the referrer’s final whistle.
A memorable match?
Our match against Japan in Tokyo where we won 2-1. Also, our match against Al Ahli in which we won 3-0.
Favorite place?
My house with my family.
Favorite non-Arab meal?
the Spanish “paella” meal, which is a sea food dish with Italian pasta.
Your International Club ?
Barcelona
Best player in UAE?
Without any compliments, “Amoory”.
Best foreign player in UAE?
The midfielder, Fabio Lima.
Your best moments?
The moments I spend with my family
The best decision you made in your life?
Joining Al Ain Club.
The best striker you encountered?
Brazil’s striker Ricardo Oliveira, Al Jazira former player.
A coach who has an influential impact on Ismael’s career?
Romania’s Coach, Olario Cosmin.
Your hobby ?
Personally, I am one of the lovers of the American basketball even though I do not play that game.
How do you deal with the fans’ criticism?
I deal with that professionally because fans are always the number one. We have to accept their blames as they are always looking forward to seeing the best performance. Yet, this should be within the scope of “Ismael Ahmad” and not to go beyond the red lines, i.e. criticism addressed to me personally and not my family.
Do you think Al Wasl is the only contender to Al Ain to win this season’s title?
All clubs are considered competitors to Al Ain to win the title and not a specific team because facing the “Boss” for them is a championship by itself.
