The Squad Was Not at Its Best Against Al Fujairah.. Leko Hails the Boss Stars’ Performance and Cheers Up Loyal Fans
“Our team derived this victory against the home team, Fujairah, though it was not an easy match,” Ivan Leko, head coach of Al Ain Football Team, opened the post-match press conference held by the end of his team’s matchweek 4 of the Arabian Gulf League against Al Fujairah held at Al Fujairah Stadium on Friday 26th October 2019.
He added: “We were surprised by the home team’s tactics in the first half. I believe that both teams’ performance was 50/50. However, we succeeded in doing what we are meant to do and scored half a dozen goals.”
Ivan Leko took the opportunity to hail his squad’s performance against Al Fujairah by saying: “When you concede the first goal in an away match and turn the table on the home team and win them by seven goals, then you absolutely deserve to be congratulated. Indeed, Laba succeeded in scoring four goals, and Bandar assisted in creating the same, which proves that the players turned all their training sessions into real opportunities, and for me, I am so happy with the result.”
Leko also hailed the Ainawi fans who were behind the team despite the long distance before the kick-off whistle, during and until the end of the match. “I do believe that this played a great role in motivating the players. I am expecting to see all the Ainawi Nation in our coming match next week against Al Jazira, and especially it will be held at home.”
Commenting on a question on the secret behind the stunning performance of the Boss squad in the second half, he said: “I believe we were not in the best condition tonight in one hand. On the other hand, Al Fujairah was not that bad at all. By the end of the match I could say that we did well in the second half, boosted the level of focus, and show our genuine charisma in the field and trust in ourselves. I did not expect to win by seven goals, but such things happen in football. This result is a reward for a better team.”
He added: “There were certain mistakes committed by the defenders during the first half, but in the second half, the team’s performance was better.”
“I said in the pre-match press conference that our mission against the Fujairah team would not be easy and that players who could make the difference in the pitch. The coach’s role is to improve the players’ performance, handle their mistakes and show them the style of playing with and without the ball,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether this stunning result would be a message to the competitors that Al Ain has the desire to win the league title, he said: “I stopped talking about winning the league title since two months ago. We only focus on the next match, and in April or May next year we would think to talk about the titles and championships.”
He signed off: “I believe that tonight’s match gives us only three points as winning your opponent by one or two goals is exactly like winning them by seven goals. However, I hope this result would help us in achieving our goal by the end of the current season.”
