Al Ain fans songs provoke our enthusiasm.. Abdelkarim Traoré: Al Ain style is interesting and the coach’s tactics are conclusive
The professional work in the Academy paves the way of stardom for the talented players
Schreuder instilled passion in the players who are looking forward to morning and evening drills
Calling me up to the first team is a wonderful dream and nice surprise
Abdelkarim Traoré is one of Al Ain most prominent football talents who started his professional career with football as a young man passionate about football like his other African juniors, specifically in his hometown Mali, before he was selected by Al Ain scouting team and although he was only 16 years old, he joined the U-18 team when he joined the Al Ain Academy due to his magnificent football talent. After that, he moved to the Reserve team in which he was selected by the first team coach, Alfred Schreuder to join “Al-Zaeem” list as one of the junior players.
Traoré never forget those immortal moments with “Al-Zaeem” U-18 team when he was crowned with both the league and cup last season in the presence of Al Ain extraordinary fans and on HBZS, one of the best football stadiums in the world.
Childhood dream
Replying to a question regarding joining Al Ain, he said: “Of course, my childhood dream was playing for a big professional clubs which I believe becomes true with Al Ain as I didn’t confront any significant challenges because the one-team spirit and great appreciation among the team is the principle of treatment with all the players and the technical and administrative staff. Moreover, playing in Al Football Academy brought me closer to some players such as Hazem Mohammed Abbas, Mansour Al Shamsi, Issa Khalfan, Josna and Humaid and we’re training now with the first team. So, I confirm to you that I love this place, all the players, the coach and the administrative staff and feel as belonging to Al Ain.
A great surprise
Regarding his feelings when he was called up to the first team, he said: “Frankly, before calling me up, I was talking with myself that I can play with the first team so I should work hard and develop a fighting spirit able to defend Al Ain badge from the beginning to the end of each match, but that was merely a dream. However, calling me up to the first team is such a great surprise since I dreamed of so many things when I was playing with the U-18 team”.
A mutual respect
He continued: “When I joined the squad of the first team I found the situation is different in terms of some details, as there are some principles such as discipline, commitment, and demonstrating seriousness and one-family spirit which I’ve experienced with my colleagues in the first team. Moreover, I imagined that the stars of the team will consider me a junior player, but I found a sense of great respect from everyone, not the players only, but even the coach and the administrative staff and the coach told me, “You’ve to work hard to participate in our matches, but it is impossible to participate in all matches as you are still a junior player, so you will play gradually”.
An interesting style
Regarding Al Ain style, he said: “I think that Al Ain style of playing is based on the interesting football in addition that the coach’s tactic is marvelous and convincing and all of us here is looking forward to the training sessions though they are split into morning and evening sessions because he instilled some sort of passion in the players who are passionate about the drills”.
Achievements and titles
Commenting on a question regarding his targets and ambitions with football, he said: “When your name is associated with a big and prestigious team such as Al Ain, sure you’re required to win titles and make achievements. This requires that Abdelkarim Traoré and each player in the squad to double his efforts compared to the available resources and exceptional facilities and I hope that our team will achieve the targets of our prestigious club”.
Al Ain fans
Traoré concluded his speech saying: “I started playing in the Football Academy and noticed the marvelous support of Al Ain fans as we enjoy an exceptional fan base and I and every player in the team loved and felt relevant to them as we always talk about our fans while in changing room. If you asked me about their most prominent songs, I’ll choose “Ainawi” which is associated with a strong rhythm from the stands of the stadium.”
Personal Data
Name: Abdelkarim Traoré
DoB: 11-01-2005
Position: Midfielder
T-shirt No: 70
Height: 173
Weight: 71
