U17 Hazza Bin Zayed Football Tournament kicks off in festive night
Chairman of Al Ain Football Company HE Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri has announced the launch of the nine season of the annual U17 Hazza Bin Zayed International Football Tournament.
The announcement made while masses were celebrating in a festive night when the UAE National Anthem was played and a number of shows were presented.
Sultan Rashid, the Chairman of the tournament’s organizing committee and the board member of Al Ain Football Club delivered a speech, announcing the formal launch of the 2017 tournament under the theme of “the Year of Benevolence”.
We are committed to continue the success linked to one of the most prominent international juniors tournaments especially that it is named after His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Vice-president of the executive board and of the honorary board of Al Ain and Chairman of Board of Directors of the Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club who is the founder of the success strategy of the UAE football, Rashid stressed.
Concluding his speech, Rashid wished happy accommodation to all teams taking part in the Al Ain-based tournament and that they would achieve the desired gains from their participation in the tournament.
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Al Hajeri honored that a number of 21 employees and workers, asserting that they have served the club for long years. The chairman took pictures with the working team.
Al Ain SG Chairman grants Serbian Ambassador Tournament Box
Chairman of Al Ain Football Company HE Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri has granted Serbian Ambassador to UAE Milos Perisic the tournament box.
The box includes the tournament’s booklet as well as precious gifts that carry the logos of Al Ain and the tournament.
Perisic was granted the box for his keenness on attending the opening ceremony and a part of the game between Al Ain and Partizan of Serbia.
Al Hajeri expresses happiness for tournament success
Chairman of Al Ain Football Company HE Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri has expressed happiness for the distinguished success of the U17 Hazza Bin Zayed International Football Tournament.
He stressed that a main reason of the tournament success is the fans who attend the games, pointing out that it’s great for Al Ain city to host such tournament and it’s also great for the players as many of them are part of first teams due to their participation in previous seasons of the tournament.
The chairman said that Al Qattara stadium that hosts the tournament has a special place in the hearts of Al Zaeem fans as it reminds us of the old times.
“Al Ain team had a great performance in the opener,” Al Hajeri said, stressing that exchanging expertise is more important than the result.
He said that it’s certain that the fans have enjoyed the performance of the young talented players who represent the future of the Club of the Garden City that is the home of people who love football.
Al Hajeri hailed the work team that was keen on make the tournament successful in terms of techniques and organization, raising high the name after which the tournament is name, His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Commenting on the fact that the tournament is held at the same time of Al Ain game against Al Ahli of Saudi, Al Hajeri said “I Think that Al Ain is familiar with such situations and its staff are ready to organize a third event at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium at the same time.” He stressed that the workers of Al Ain club are able to ennoble the UAE before the whole world.
Equal performance, excitement seen in openers
The two opening games of the U17 Hazza Bin Zayed International Football Tournament have witnessed an equal performance and excitement by the teams. Kicks from the penalty mark were needed to decide the result of the two opening games.
In the first game, Partizan of Serbia won the penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw against the host Al Ain. The goalkeeper managed to stop three penalty shots while the goalkeeper of Partizan managed to save his net from four penalty shots, leaving his team at the top of the Group A with two points and the Garden City Club in the second place with only one point.
In the other game, the Wydad of Morocco clinched two points out of their game against Zamalek of Egypt following a 1-1 draw in the 90 minute game and a 7-6 victory from the penalty spot.
Al Ain goalkeeper gets “man-of-the-match” award
Al Ain under-17 goalkeeper Eissa Ahmed got the man of the match award in his team game against Partizan of Serbia. Ahmed managed to stop three penalty shots during the game.
While receiving the award from Abdullah Ali, the tournament director and the administrative supervisor of the football academy, the goalkeeper was trying to fight back tears.
This is the first time I play a game in such exciting atmosphere and while flocks of fans are attending the game, the goalkeeper said.
Although the loss against the Serbian team, I think we had a set of desired gains, mainly the experience of playing very strong game in an international tournament, he noted.
On his feeling while receiving the award, Ahmed said “I was not totally happy of the award because that my team has lost the game. I think that individual awards mean nothing as the main objective of the football player is to clinch victory for his team.”
The young goalie stressed that the team is required to change the situation in the upcoming game against Valencia of Spain.
Partizan coach hails as “international” Al Ain U-17 international tournament
Partizan Head Coach Celdan Sebović has hailed as “international” the organization of the U17 Hazza Bin Zayed International Football Tournament.
“Everything is great and we enjoy playing in this tournament, the coach of the Belgrade-based team said.
In statements, Sebović said he is satisfied with his team performance against Al Ain when they won 4-3 following penalty shootout at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium in the tournament opener.
In the first half, we did not have the usual performance, the coach said, blaming such on the flight and the hot weather to which the players are not used.
However, we changed the situation in the second half, scoring two goals before winning in the penalty shootout, Sebović noted.
Al Ain played very well and had a lot of chances to score in the first half, the Serbian coach said.
He added “I think that the team will play as usual in the game against Valencia, especially that the team features a number of international players who are in the preparation stage to play for the first team.”
Our players know what is required from them to achieve their future objectives, Sebović concluded.
Al Ain coach praised “professional organization” of tournament
Al Ain U-17s coach Alberto Peto expressed thanks to the organizers of the U17 Hazza Bin Zayed International Football Tournament for their great efforts to make such tournament successful.
The organization of such great event and inviting string European and Arab teams to take part in the tournament reflect the professional work of Al Ain football academy.
The Spanish coach hailed as “professional work” the level of tournament organization.
As for the opening game, Peto said that such tournament is a challenge for players to show their techniques and talents that may make them deserve playing for the first team in the near future.
When I met with players who were nervous at the hotel, I asked them to play with ease and show their abilities and capabilities, the coach said, pointing out that the players were also asked to enjoy the games away from stress.
“Our team was good and organized in the first half of the game against Partizan of Serbia. We were the best party and had a lot of chances after scoring the second goal,” Peto said.
In the second half, we tried to play as the first half, however, our players did not have the needed experience to deal with such games, he said. The players made some mistakes that were used by the visitors to score two goals and get the draw, Peto noted, pointing out that he is proud of the tem.
Man of Wydad-Zamalek match say “Happy”
Player of Wydad Casablanca Isamail Metrajey who got the “man of the match” award expressed happiness for getting the Award and for his team victory over Zamalek of Egypt.
We had great performance and we were the best despite that the flight trip was very long and the traveling was very hectic, Metrajey said.
As for winning the man of the match award, the Moroccan player said that he got the award thanks to the assistance of his teammates, hoping to do his best in the tournament and to clinch its title.
Wydad coach satisfied with team performance
Abdulaziz Al-Hassouni, coach of the Wydad football Academy, said that he is satisfied with his team performance in the opening game against Zamalek of Egypt despite the travel fatigue and high temperature.
The two teams had good performance that is better than the performance of the Al Ain- Partizan game, Al-Hassouni said.
I am very happy for the players performance especially that they had not have even one training before the game, following a 16-hour flight, the coach said.
He thanked Al Ain club for inviting the Moroccan team to take part in the tournament, wishing great success for the tournament and victory for the first team of the Garden City Club against Al Ahli Saudi FC in the AFC Champions League match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
Zamalek determined to qualify to next stage: Coach
Zamalek U-17s coach Walid Maher said that the Cairo giants are very determined to qualify to the next stage although their loss against Wydad of Morocco in the opening game.
The Egyptian coach said the game against Wydad was very string and difficult, as the Moroccan team has good players in terms of techniques and movements.
I think that chance of Zamalek to qualify is greater than the chance of the Moroccan team as they will face Athletic Bilbao of Spain without any rest, unlike or team that will rest for one day before facing the Spanish team, Maher concluded.
