That is Why I Singled Out El Shahat.. Zoran: Al Ain Plays in Competitions Not for the Sake of Participation Only Because It Is a Big Club
In the pre-match press conference dedicated for Al Ain Vs Al Wasl match, Croatia’s Zoran Mamic head coach of Al Ain First Football Team underlined the fact that the newcomer, Egypt’s Hussein El Shahat enjoys high skills and capable of playing in more than one position, besides that he has the potentials to be an added value to the team and will be one of the options to play against Al Wasl.
He further explained: “I am really still a supporter of Douglas and do wish him all the best in his professional career. We have to agree that we all should stick to decisions of the Technical Committee for Professionalism. Personally, I believe that El Shahat was one of the best players available during the winter transfer window and I selected him because I believe he will be able to make the difference and definitely I will support him to achieve the Boss’ ambitions in the coming challenges.”
“We tried to enhance the lines of the team during the winter transfer window by selecting a linebacker, but we were not lucky enough to find the right player and sometimes negotiations discontinued because of exceeding the preidentified salary cap,” added he. He stressed: “Mohamed Fayez’s performance was great during the matches he played with the team and I wish he goes on with his stunning performance for he is a reliable player and able to make the difference.”
Expressing his pleasure to be back and compete for winning AGL title following a long break, he confirmed: “I hope that the second half of the current season will witness a strong competition. It is good to spend the time to prepare for the matches as needed, but it is better to show our real strength and really improve while playing official matches against competitors.”
“I expect a difficult confrontation on Friday against the home team on their playground and among their fans because the competitor is a quality team who enjoys the same skills of Al Ain. Indeed, it is very interesting for me to meet Al Wasl again in AGL because these confrontations always have special flavor,” said he.
“I hope that our training during the last phase went well and as required to meet Al Wasl despite the absence of the “international” players because of their participation with UAE National Team. We hope that they will be ready for the coming match and leave the Arabian Gulf Cup 23 behind and focus on the important challenges that await the team in the next stage,” said he commenting on the participation of the Al Ain international players.
As for the expected absences, he said: “All players are ready for Al Wasl match except Ahmed Barman because of suspension.” He added: “I know that the mission of the international players of Al Ain will not be easy after the excessive efforts they paid during Arabian Gulf Cup 23, specially they played five games during a short period and the last two of them have gone to added time. However, this has become part of our life in the world of football and they are required to turn the page of that tournament that has become something of the past and to focus on the future where we do have lots of great challenges. As I told you, I spoke to my international players and I assured them that Arabian Gulf Cup 23 should not have any impact on their performance with Al Ain.”
On lessons learnt from the conformation with Al Wasl in Za’beel Stadium in the past season which ended by the home team wining Al Ain by 4-3, he said: “We are required to focus and definitely not to commit mistakes, but such matches with that result happens only every 20 or 30 years. Al Wasl is one of the best contenders for the championship title and I watched their recent matches and believe that my team did well during the first-round match against Al Wasl and we are required to do our best on Friday to snatch the three points.”
Commenting on a question whether Al Ain will focus only to win AGL title, he said: “Al Ain cannot focus only on one championship; quite the reverse Al Ain is a strong competitor in all competitions because it is a great team and always looking forward to achieve positive results and I do wish my players all the best. However, you know the difficult situation we experienced during the Arabian Gulf Cup.”
On his message to Omar Abdul Rahman, he said: “Omar is a professional player. He only has to do his best and I have limitless trust in him.”
He concluded by commenting on Ahmed’s Khalil contract by saying: “Absolutely, I hope he will be able to conclude his contract and be transferred to Al Ain.”
