Presided By Al Hajeri.. The “Boss” leaves to Iran with the Spirits to Qualify for AFC Champions League Quarter Finals
Al Ain Team will hold their main training session at the Azadi Stadium which accommodates more than 100 thousand fans today at 07:30 p.m. Tehran time and 07:00 by Abu Dhabi local time. This comes in preparation to meet hosting team, Esteghlal Tehran, on their field and among their fans as part of the first leg of the 16th Round competitions of the AFC Champions League.
Al Ain Team Delegation departed to Iran Friday evening through Al Ain International Airport on a private jet with high morals to qualify for the quarter-finals. The delegation, headed by H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri Chairman of Al Ain Football Company, arrived at Imam Khomeini International Airport in an air trip that lasted about two hours and was received at the time of arrival by H. E. Shamis Khamis Al Muslihi, Chargé d’affaires and a number of officials from Esteghlal Tehran Team.
Mattar Obaid Al Dhahiri “AL Sahbani”, Manager of Al Ain First Football Team stressed that Al Ain is well prepared for the coming match against Esteghlal Tehran Team in the 16th Round of the AFC Champions League. He further explained, “Preparations are on the right track to be ready for the coming confrontation against the Iranian team. The players’ enjoy a strong desire to return back home with heads high and a positive result that paves the way to cross half the way to the quarter-finals. This indeed will enhance the team’s chances to settle the match at home and among the Ainawi fans and keep them away from any pressures. ”
He went to say, “We are well aware that Al Ain Team’s mission against the Iranian team will not be an easy one as it is a fact in the football world that the fortunes of both teams prior the kick-off whistle are always equal. However, feeling accountable, the fighting spirit, the strong personality and respect for the opponent’s ambitions regardless of their name or their position on the Asian classification table are the most important factors that have been associated with Al Ain players in their Asian matches. They are always keen to show their best in the field to achieve strong results, especially when it comes to defending the name and reputation of UAE football in away matches.
In his comment on a question about his feelings that Al Ain will not participate in the next edition of the AFC Champions League, he said: “It is certainly a shame that we will not participate in the Asian Championships League and we all are held accountable for this mishap. The team in the first round was at the top of the standing table of AGL following his match against Kalba Team. Nevertheless, we are not looking for justifications as Al Ain has been de-facto led to face the current situation though the team was able to continue their successful journey. The only thing was could say is, “May Allah forgive who was behind all of that as everything was in our hands but we missed that opportunity.
When asked about his message to Al Ain players, he stated, “I believe that Al Ain players are well aware that we have only one option, that is to go back home from Tehran by a positive result. Add to that, our confidence in them has no limits based on their high potentials and great experience when it comes to face all the possible circumstances associated with the Asian matches. I want to reassure all the fans that the team’s stars are up to the challenge and will take up the confidence and responsibility they vested in them and will be able to come back home from Iran with the best result.”
Al Ain delegation consists of 20 players, including: Khalid Issa, Mohammed Saeed Bou Senda, Daoud Suleiman, Mohammed Ahmed, Rashed Muhair, Daoud Ali, Saeed Juma’a, Ismail Ahmed, Khalid Abdul Rahman, Salem Al Azizi, Ahmed Barman, , Mohammed Abdul Rahman, Yousef Ahmad Mousa, Sa’eed Al Katheri, Mohammed Khalfan, Ibrahim Diaky, Omar Abdul Rahman, Caio Lucas, Danilo Asprilla and Lee Myung-joo.”
