Stressed that Saudi Fans Motivate them to Win in Riyadh.. Ismail Ahmed: I Coped with the Injury and Looking Forward to Achieve Our Continental Ambitions
Players Are Willing to Sacrifice Everything to Reach the Asian Semi-Finals
The Strong “Personality of the Boss Will Assist in Meeting the Challenge and Surmount the Most Difficult Circumstances
I Am Trying to Score My 29 Goal with the “Boss” in Al Hilal in Riyadh
Al Ain’s Fans Are “Exceptional” and They Believe in Supporting the “Boss” in All Circumstances
Sustaining the Injury
Ismail Ahmed confirmed that the rehabilitation program which he went through during the treatment phase was conducted in the right manner and under the supervision of the medical staff and the fitness trainer. He explained that he felt great improvement and took part in the individual training programs on Wednesday and then on Saturday evening he joined his teammates in their group exercises.
He further explained, “I hope to arrive at the level of required readiness before our crucial match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, especially as the coach is in dire need of the efforts of all players of his squad.”
“According to the medical report, the surgery consultant confirmed that the injury was old but I sustained it due the circumstances of the team which required the efforts of everyone, especially during the continental matches. It is indeed not a secret to tell you that the motives are always great when it comes to sacrifice for our great sport entity,” replied he in response to a question on his recent injury.
He added, “The doctor finally reassured me that the operation was 100% successful and this pushed me to double my efforts during the rehabilitation phase by conducting the gym and swimming pool exercises.”
Once in a Lifetime Match
“I believe that this match will be our lifetime game and crucial confrontation for us,” declared the “international” defender. He added, “We are well aware that it will not be an easy match, mainly because Al Hilal has a group of the Saudi National Team players and this means they will play with high morale following the qualification of their team to the World Cup.”
“Undoubtedly, the Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal will play under pressure as they are going to play on their pitch and among their enthusiastic fans. Yet, our goal is clear, i.e. to fly back from Riyadh with the semi-finals qualification card. We are well aware that we are required to show our fighting spirit from the kick-off whistle until the end of the match. Also, have to be at the highest levels of readiness to deal with all situations expected to happen in such big games,” said he.
Perfect Atmosphere
“The fans will rally intensely in the King Fahad International Stadium to support Al Hilal, but we have the experience of dealing with such atmosphere and fans. Indeed, our competitors’ fans always heighten our incentives to show our best and push ourselves to the limit. I do hope to have luck and be able to play in the best and dignified manner that matches the aspirations of the UAE fans and lovers of the “Boss”,” Ismail said.
Responding to a question on the chances to snatch the qualifying card, he said, “We bet on the high confidence in each other’s capabilities, the technical staff headed by the talented Croatian Head Coach Zoran Mamic and the strong desire to achieve the club’s goals in the strongest competition in Asia.”
Important Stations
“The memory is full of positive and negative stations, but we did benefit from all the head coaches who have taken over the training of the “Boss” as players. I think that each football player needs to develop his skills and enhance his capabilities in the round ball world. Therefore, each head coach will represent a special addition to the player,” commenting on a question on the most important stations he still remembers during the last ten years with the different head coaches taking over the training of the “Boss”.
He went on to say, “There are certain coaches who were keen to leave their mark and each in their style, such as German’s Schaefer and Romanian’s Cosmin and even Croatian Zlatko. Also, not to forget the Brazilian Gallo who experienced difficult conditions with the team. Personally, I wished he could continue for an additional season because he has extraordinary potentials and training mentality and above all gives you superb motivation before each game. Indeed, in each season I learn new things from the head coach.”
Memorable Moments
“I looked at every moment I have spent with my club as a happy one. Indeed, just for the fact that you belong to Al Ain FC makes you happy because it is not just a football club, but a proud entity. I do believe that every moment I spend loving my club is a happy moment, and all moments that I will live with my club in my heart in the future will be a happy moment,” said he as a response to a question on the happiest moment he spent with Al Ain during the last ten years.
He added: “I think the joy we experienced in the season of 2010/2011 after the team guaranteed their existence in the professional league was exceptional. We were facing hard and difficult circumstances at that season as 12 players suffered from injuries and all indicators were clear that we will lose our position in the league. However, the most stunning thing in that season was the fans of Al Ain who refused to surrender despite the severe decline in the results of the team and everyone was working for the team advantage within an integrated system at the levels of management, players and fans of AL Ain. Although the professional players did not show that high level of performance, they indeed deserve appreciation because they supported us until the end of the journey. The joy came after we experienced hard and difficult times, and then we were able to go back to the track and snatch the title of league under the command of the Head Coach Cosmin.”
The Goal-Scoring Defender
When asked on his title as the goal-scoring defender, he said, “As I told you, the footballer at every moment is required to keep pace with the signs of development. There are coaches who are able to discover the potential of each player, correct his mistakes and give him the motivation to push himself to the limit and show his best in the pitch. Indeed, it is not a secret to tell you that my joy when seeing the fans happy and their interaction at the moment of I score the goal is much greater than my joy in scoring that goal.”
“The goals I am able to score at crucial times move the fans’ feelings remarkably and enhance my desire to do more to make the “Ainawi Nation” cheer up. I cannot forget the second goal I scored in the nets of Al Wahda at 93′ minute in the Arabian Gulf League,” said Ismael.
“The Head Coach often instills in the player the confidence and the strong motivation to give his best levels. In this regard, Head Coach Zoran Mamic is a one of them. He is professional in instilling the fighting spirit in the players’ hearts. Personally, I am thinking of increasing my goal scoring level and to have the chance to score against Al Hilal. I do wish all the best to my team and to achieve a strong result in the coming match,” said he.
Feelings of Pride
Ismail Ahmed said, “The feelings of pride and honor of belonging to Al Ain Club is coming from the leadership, prestige, value and position of this entity. The sense of responsibility is the title of each member of Al Ain. We always strive to work according to the Club’s vision and we are committed to implement its strategic plans in line with the Club’s institutional values. We are so keen to show our fighting spirit in the pitch to make Al Ain’s fans happy and I wish to see massive presence of the fans in all matches of the new season, and not only in top matches because each game we play is important and winning all games equals three points whatever the level of the competitor. Therefore, there is nothing in the dictionary of competition on titles expressions like “Derby Confrontation” or the “Top Match” or anything else. The points you achieve against the top team of the standing table equals the points you win against the last team of the table. What we do wish from everyone to consider the “Boss” matches as derbies and top ones. We have to show due respect to all our competitors and to maintain the intense presence in the stands as this reflects positively on us and makes the opponent stands in awe.”
