Satisfied with the Players’ Commitment and Discipline.. Pedro: Waiting for the Competent Authorities’ Decision to Play Friendlies
I Call for the Fans to Support the Team Positively
We All Determined to Achieve the Boss’ Goals
We All Fully Adhere to the Precautionary Measures in and off the Pitch
Ready to Adapt with All Changes
We Hold Daily Meetings and Focus on Tactical Aspects in Abu Dhabi Training Camp
In an exclusive statement to Al Ain TV Channel, the head coach of Al Ain FC Pedro Emmanuel said that the current conditions that the whole world countries are experiencing due to the breakthrough of Coronavirus are lessons learned.
“Such severe conditions dictate that we have to be more cautious and work and think differently to stay safe and keep all those who are working with us safe as well. This should be realized with sights set to accomplish our mission during the preseason preparations by paying more attention to our work and enjoy playing football. It is the good thing for me, team players, and all the Al Ain coaching team and administrative staff in this camp,” He stated.
Pedro added: “As I stated before, we have to be patient in these current conditions. We also have to adapt to any changes that pop up at any minute. We are experiencing a new era full of changes, and we are required to adapt accordingly.”
Shedding light on how the team adapted to the new circumstances during the first phase of the team’s summer training camp held in Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain City, he said: “We were so keen to implement the concept of “physical distancing” during the training sessions during the first phase held in Khalif Bin Zayed Stadium during 15 July until 2 August 2020. Also, we changed many things in our daily training program.”
Pedro said that the first phase was meant to give the newly-arrived players the chance to adapt to the team. “Also, we gave a chance to several young players who have joined the squad recently to exhibit their quality skills. Moreover, it was a good opportunity for certain players who did not play in the past season due to injuries for long periods and join their teammates in their training sessions. We did our best in the first phase to prepare the squad to play and perform well in the upcoming season.”
Al Ain’s head coach pointed out that the coaching teams were waiting for individual players to rejoin the team in the first phase due to limitations forced by their countries’ authorities on traveling abroad like Laba Kodjo and Islam Khan. He stated that five players joined the camp held by the UAE National Football Team. He also said: “As for Caio Canedo, we adopted the principle of “Safety First”.”
Pedro expressed his pleasure with the players’ reaction and abundant enthusiasm, which is evident through their commitment and discipline while in training sessions. “Everybody here makes you feel good and happy about resuming football activities after a long suspension period. We know things got different in conducting training sessions as we started with small groups of two. However, we are still waiting for the authorities in charge to decide when we could play friendlies.”
Pedro put an accent that the squad spent 15 days training in Khalifa Bin Zayed before kicking off the second phase in Abud Dhabi and that it is the time to play friendly matches. “We are seeking to prepare a good team, and we all are required to handle current conditions professionally, and more importantly, is to adhere to the safety so as everybody feels comfortable while working with us.”
As for the second phase of the preseason training camp, he stated: “The first phase of this camp is meant to boost the players’ physical fitness levels. As you know, players had a good time without attending and collective training sessions or playing matches. In Abu Dhabi camp, we focus on tactics and holding meetings to ensure that everybody is reading from the same page and ensuring increasing the level of performance and enjoying the work here.”
Pedro Emmanuel concluded his statement by addressing a message to the fans: “As the case for use, fans should be patient given the hard times we are experiencing. We must be confident that this would be over sooner, and things will be back to normal and even better. They would enjoy watching matches from the standings again. I hope they would always be next to us and support their beloved team positively. They have to rest assured that we all here working hard to make them happy.”
