Paid attributes to Mohammed bin Zayed and Hazza bin Zayed.. Hammad: We have full confidence in the Boss’ players quality skills and achieve the “Global” Aspirations
H.E. Mohammed Obeid “Hammad”, Board Member of Al Ain Football Company and Supervisor of the First and Reserved Football Teams, expressed his deepest appreciation and sincerest gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Chairman of Al Ain Club and Chairman of Al Ain Club Honorary Council, for his generous and immense support and care he always shows and provides to this lofty club to become one of the most important clubs in Asia.
Hammad also extended his sincerest appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council, First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, First Vice President of the Honorary Council & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, for his generous and continuous support and adopting the idea of extending invitations for those how contributed to the achievements of the club throughout the past fifty years to attend the FIFA Club World Cup- UAE 2018.
He added: “We have received apologies for not attending this great occasion due to inevitable circumstances, including Abdul Majid Al Shatali, the family of the late French head coach of Al Ain, Abdul Karim Metsu, in addition to the sons of Hamid Al Deeb, the first coach to lead Al Ain to win the title of the league, Hammad Al Aqrabi, who is suffering from certain health conditions and we wish him a speedy recovery. Also, I would like to avail this opportunity to thank H.E. Mohammed Bin Thaloub Al Deri, Chairman of Al Ain Club Investment Company, and H.E. Hamad Bin Nukhairat Al Ameri, Managing Director, for adopting the idea and implementing it as required. I do hope to see all of the invited stars and figures to join us in this great and historical moments.”
Commenting on the Boss participation in the Club World Cup, he said: “Al Ain’s participation the 15th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup on behalf of our beloved homeland is a great honor. It triggered the sense of responsibility of every member of this prestigious sports entity to redouble their efforts and to show their best to achieve the desired goals, considering that fact we are representing the UAE and celebrating an exceptional year under the theme of “Year of Zayed”. Additionally, we are marking the UAE National Day while taking part in this big sport event that coincides with the Golden Jubilee of Al Ain Club.”
Hammad stated: “It is not a secret to tell you that we were happily watching the matches of the other UAE clubs who participated in the past editions of the Club World Cup. Today, we achieved the key goal by qualifying to play in this year’s edition of the competition. Our focus now is to ensure we perform well and show the team’s quality and skills that match the reputation of our country in this Mondial.”
On the team’s preparations for the Club World Cup, he said: “We have an overlap in competitions this season. When the team plays in a competition, they are required to be ready within few days. Unfortunately, we were not lucky enough in our recent match against Al Wasl in the President’s Cup, but Al Ain will go forward and our results in the league are satisfactory though the level of performance is not exactly like the past season.” He stressed that Al Ain is still competing to top the standing table of the league and sights are always set on winning titles which is the key goal to be achieved.
He added: Not to forget that a number of the Boss players joined the UAE national team in preparation for an important event for the UAE football, that is the Asia Cup- UAE 2019. I really hope to win the title of this year’s edition.”
“The FIFA Club World Cup, as I mentioned earlier, is part of these great challenges and the focus of Al Ain is now on performing well and showing the team’s genuine performance that match the aspirations of the fans and all fans of UAE football. Al Ain players are up to it and will meet the expectations in this new challenge,” he said.
In response to a question on the new recruit, the Malian player Hamed Doumbia, he said: “We signed the contract with the player based on recommendations made by the head coach Zoran Mamic. He submitted a report that included the needs and requirements of his coaching team for the FIFA Club World Cup and approved by the Technical Committee of Professionalism. Based on the pre-assessments and observations, we found that the player has the potentials required to achieve the desired added value.”
“We were not successful in finalizing the contract with the Portugal’s Robin Ribeiro in the critical time, though we were hoping he would be of a great value to the team in the Club World Cup. There were certain unresolved issues between the player and his club and we did not get the approval of the FIFA to register his name in our lists,” he said. Despite this slight issue, Hammad renewed his trust in the Boss squad and that they would do whatever it takes to raise the name of the UAE high.
On the possibility of joining the Portuguese player in the winter transfer window, he said: “The problem of the player is still unresolved. However, if we can reach a solution in the best interest of the team and be beneficial to the player, I do not see any problem in joining him. We have to consider first the head coach’s vision and his requirements for the coming stage in collaboration with the Technical Committee of Professionalism who will determine all matters relating to winter contracts.”
“Al Ain players enjoy extensive experience in dealing with all circumstances, including the absence of any player for any reason and all the team’s stars are determined to do their best to achieve the desired results,” he replied to a question on whether excluding the Portuguese player from the list will have any negative impact on the players’ performance.
“as with regard to the Boss’ aspirations in the FIFA Club World Cup, he said: “The club’s strategy is clear in dealing with all competitions and the head coach talked with the players about the importance of being highly focused to overcome the first challenge and dealing with each game separately.”
Hammad expressed his personal wishes prior the qualification of Egypt’s Al Ahli FC and Espérance Sportive de Tunis by saying: “On the personal level I would have liked to face Al Ahli team, but Esperance has shown their interest in being in the 2018 Club World Cup, while the Egyptian club Al Ahli experienced some difficult circumstances.”
Hammad praised the initiatives of H.E. Mohammed bin Thaloub Al Deri in supporting the fans of Al Ain Club and encouraging his constant support for the team and his deep belief that Al Ain fans are always playing a key role in the Boss’ achievements over the years. He signed off: “Bu Hazza’s initiative to buy tickets is not new. I hope the fans will be able to enjoy such historic moments and the exciting atmosphere at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium to support the team’s ambitions in their global mission.”
