Stressed that Al Ain fans are the ‘cornerstone’
Matar Obeid Al Dhaheri ‘Al Sahbani’, Al Ain first team manager, said: “Today’s game is the most important for us this season because winning it with a good goal difference would relax players before the second-leg game. Any goal scored by Al Ain would upset El Jaish players because it could be followed by another goal. I hope that our players’ concentration and calmness will be higher because this game is different and requires missing no chances. All players should avoid hastiness because it is not easy to make up for missed chances; and not taking advantage of any crucial pass from Omar Abdurrahman would make a clear flaw and could affect all the team players.”
Asked about what he said before the game against the Uzbek team, Lokomotiv, that Al Ain team led by Omar Abdurrahman is able to win and that he extremely trusts that Douglas will return to scoring in the AGL game against the Emirates Club, which happened indeed, and asked about the origin of this feeling and his prediction for today’s game, he said: “Omar is able to lead the team as a captain because he is the finest player in Asia, and this is an advantage for Al Ain. I wouldn’t forget the other players who play a great role in the team, but Omar with one pass or touch can change the course of the game at any time and I hope that he will play a greater role in today’s game. Regarding Douglas, I am close to the players and particularly the foreigners, and I noticed that when they miss a chance they get confused, so I always try to be near them to make things easier. When I talk to them, they make me feel that they can do better in the next games. Douglas is able to score, and in the game against the Emirates Club he got four or five chances from which he scored three goals. This superb performance made him elated and proved that he is mentally and psychologically ready. All the other players are also ready and we extremely trust them, but they are required to maintain their concentration and calmness and avoid hastiness because as I told you an early goal on guests would make them wobble.”
Asked about his view for the semifinals after Al Ain failed to score on El Jaish in the Group Stage, he said: “Al Ain lost twice to El Jaish in addition to losing the games against Sharjah and Al Shabab in the last season in the same way, which is counterattacks. Therefore, our players and particularly the defenders should be more attentive and careful because El Jaish uses the same technique. However, if El Jaish wishes to play an open game, this will be OK for us, but I don’t expect that because they are playing away. El Jaish owns skilled players we saw in the Qatar League, such as Rashidov, Romarinho from Brazil, and Seydou Keita from Mali; they are able to control the tempo of the game. Our team is currently playing with a rising tempo since the game against Lokomotiv, Bani Yas and then the Emirates Club. Accordingly, I think that our team is able to finish the mission successfully; and I extremely trust our players. For me, today’s game is the most important this season although we are still in the beginning. If Al Ain players manage to make a relaxing win without receiving any goal, they will be able to maintain this win in the second-leg game in Doha.”
Regarding fans attendance, Al Sahbani said: “Our fans need no call from anyone. We are one family in Al Ain City, and we look forward to seeing our fans coming from inside and outside Al Ain City because this is the most important game for us this season and their presence and support to the team would help us get the result we want. We need strong support, and they should encourage one another in gatherings and on social media platforms to come early to the stadium and cheer the players. Our fans will definitely show up as usual since they are the ‘cornerstone’ and No. 1 player.”
