Alfred Schreuder: Sultan bin Hamdan set team success keys
Excited and ready for ADNOC Pro League
Planning to change style, raise performance level via morning trainings
Proud of our best fans, greatest stadium
Feeling part of both club and city
Al Ain’s Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder said, “Day before yesterday, on the sidelines of our friendly gameagainst Khor Fakkan, I had the honor to meet His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Club, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Affairs of Al Ain Football Club Company. It is good to have permanent contact with him as an official interested inthe smallest details related to setting key of success for the team and as a lover this great club. I also see feelings of joy and happiness with his presence in the eyes of the players as he gives them a sincere sense of pride and honor, so everyone strives to achieve the goals of the club and grant whoever is affiliated with it a feeling of happiness and pride of belonging to Al Ain”.
Excited, Ready
In press statements yesterday, published by the Club’s website, Schreuder voiced his full satisfaction and great happiness with the performance of the players in training and the fruits they bring in friendly games, clearly evident in their last one in the required manner. “The day before yesterday, we played against Khor Fakkan and won 2-0. We believe we showed better level in the second half. Last night, we had our 90-minute final game, wrapping up the pre-season camp. Next Friday, we will start our games in the ADNOC Pro League at our stadium against Baniyas.We are ready for 90-minute play now, because almost all players went with the same minutes during preparation period, which is earth-shaking,” he added.
Excited for the League
“We are very excited for the first game in the league. I believe how good the opponent is, and I watched its game against Al Wahda. We are very much aware that our task will not go easy, but we are ready, as we are done with the preparation program, especially since the confrontation will be between our fans and at our stadium, compared to the last two games at our stadium. Al Ain’s players received great support fromthe fans, and we hope to get good results from the first game at our stadium,” he said.
Morning Trainings
Answering a question on the morning training program after returning from the camp, he said, “I realized it was new for the players, but I talked about it as I want to change the pattern before the rest day. For me, morning training is important, especially right after the games, and we can end the day with a meeting. I know it is new for the players, but they have already trained after the last two games, which well contributes to changing the team’s style”.
Al Ain city is Fabulous
When asked about the lifestyle in the city of Al Ain, the Dutch coach said, “To be honest, I feel part of the city. Life goes fascinating here and pleasing to all. It allows me to communicate with the fans and I feel how they think and live the same experience. I can go to Abu Dhabi, but I am in Al Ain and I live in it.Speaking of the family, you should be a member of it,and this is also important for the coach”.
Best Fans
On his constant eagerness to direct the players to greet the fans, he said: “We unanimously agree that we play to make these fans happy, whether they are on or off site. The way I see it, it is necessary to greet them, which is a norm at the Club. It is very important to greet the fans, as the game is on and off. This is what I used to do in the past. I was a fan one day for sure and I feel them. I was surprised by the positive atmosphere in the stands of Hazaa bin Zayed Stadium and the number of fans in the friendly games, which is great. We are lucky to have the best fans and greatest stadium, and we hope to achieve our goals for the season under the management’s vision and make the fans happy”.
