Stressed We Closed the League File “Temporarily”.. Hammad: Ainawis Give Players the Greatest Motivation to Clinch the Top Spot of Group D
H.E. Mohammed Obaid Hammad, Board of Directors Member of Al Ain Club Football Company and the General Supervisor of the First and Reserve Teams, emphasized that the “Boss” has already closed the file of the league competition “temporarily” and that the team’s absolute focus is now on the AFC Champion League. He pointed out: “Yesterday, Al Ain players commenced their training sessions for the coming confrontation against Iran’s Esteghlal FC scheduled to be held as part of round 3 of group stage. Preparations include recovery programs to do away with the fatigue factor compared to the great efforts that all members of the team exerted under the pressure and overlap of matches.”
“Al Ain players participated yesterday in the collective training sessions during which the Croatian Head Coach, Zoran Mamic, focused on the technical and physical aspects,” explained he on the nature of training sessions held. He added: “All players will be part of the coaches’ choices to include them in the starting line-up for tomorrow’s match except Mohammed Abdul Rahman who will not participate due to suspension following receiving his second yellow card in the last round of the continental competition.”
Commenting on a question on Al Ain’s superiority over Esteghlal following the thrilling victory by 6-1 last year, he said: “That match turned to be part of the history and has nothing to do with the coming challenge. Indeed, the two team will have a new confrontation has become in the past and has nothing to do with the next challenge, as the two teams will enter tomorrow a new confrontation under different circumstances and a completely different phase. I have no doubt that football rewards the best team in the field. The team who gives more and so keen and well prepared will be the winner and the head to head statistics have nothing to do with the results of their matches in the future.”
“Al Ain will play tomorrow’s confrontation against the team at the top spot of Group D who clearly prepared well for this current season and already won a tough “Derby” match in Iran’s league,” commented he on the level of the opponent team. He went on to say: “We understand that Al Ain is required to compensate the four points lost in the competition after the team’s draw in the first and second rounds despite dominating the two matches. Absolutely, winning the match will enhance the team’s chances to snatch one of the two qualification cards to the next stage of the AFC Champions League.”
Hammad emphasized the role of the Ainawi Nation by saying: “Al Ain fans remain the most important members of the “Boss” line-up. Everyone is waiting to see the massive crowds of Ainawis at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium exactly similar to their support of the team in that recent “derby” confrontation against Al Wahda, particularly this coming stage requires granting players strong support from each member of this entity. Also, we do not have to forget that there is not much left of the season and the team has already approached the stage of reaping the fruits of their great efforts and achieve the goals.” He signed off: “Although the match is scheduled to be held in the middle of the week, but players are eagerly waiting for stronger support for their confidence in the loyal fans and to be able to snatch the top spot of Group D of the AFC Champions League 2018.”
