Confirming that big clubs are required to support and consolidate the national teams.. Alfred Schreuder: Calling up 11 international players from Al Ain to the national teams is normal
I’m focused on the performance of all players, including the talents of the Academy to build up two teams
Junior players’ performance in Al Muharraq friendly match is commendable and assuring
Laba Kodjo continues his treatment programs and is recovering well
I talked with Saeed Goma’a before the morning drills and his step toward stability is “pleasant”
The Dutch coach, Alfred Schreuder emphasized on the importance of the friendly matches played by his team during the international break, stating that: “It is good to play against a strong team during the international break, particularly that the Bahraini Al Muharraq includes excellent players. Moreover, it is good for us that we offered most players the opportunity to play for 45 minutes and some of them played for 90 minutes which is something good for the players to maintain the required technical and physical levels, especially as the team will play the return match of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup next week”.
Junior players
Replying to a question regarding introducing so many players from Al Ain Football Academy during the current international break in the drills and friendly matches, he said: “Of course, as we’ve so many “international” players joining their respective national teams currently and this is good on one hand. On the other hand, it is also good to see junior players from the Academy as I told you before that I work with Al Ain first team, and we also work for the future of the club by taking care of the Academy outputs. It is also important that I’d like to emphasize is that we want to see the Reserve Team players in the first team matches and the engagement of the second-row players in the friendly match yesterday was a big change for us, and their performance was quite good”.
The positive point
Regarding calling up 11 players from Al Ain squad to the national teams, he said: “It is quite normal for the big clubs which are actually required to provide national teams with so many “international” players and we have 11 players. Therefore, I decided not to engage them in the first match of ADIB Cup and we will make some simple changes in the return match and we actually realize that first team players can can also perform well in the ADIB Cup match, but no doubt we will assess their readiness as they didn’t train with the team for a long time which is inconsistent with the preparations for the upcoming matches, including the AFC Champions League. However, this is applicable on other teams, so we should concentrate on the positive side; i.e. we are happy to have many “international” players who can make a difference”.
No risk
Commenting on the status of Laba Kodjo, he said: “Regarding Al Ain striker Laba Kodjo, as I told you before that we will not jeopardize the player as he felt he not OK before the first match in ADIB Cup which was a positive point and we analyzed the current status and ensured that there are no problems and he is recovering well, although he didn’t participate with his national team and he is working hard to restore all his physical fitness and will be OK soon”.
Pleasant news
Regarding Saeed Goma’s marriage now, he said: “I became aware of the local habits and traditions and am keen to be fully aware of the culture which is totally differnt of mine. I was pleased and talked to Saeed Goma’a yesterday morning before the training session. It was so interesting and I didn’t engage him in the friendly match and he seemed quite happy as he is starting his new life. I wish him to feel stable, and as I told you he is very happy and this is something definitely positive”.
