Video Technology Kills the Fun of Football.. Khaled Issa: Proud that Winning the 13th Shield Coincides Al Ain’s Golden Jubilee
Khaled Issa, the goalkeeper of Al Ain First Football Team and UAE National Football Team, stressed the importance of being all set for the coming night of coronation. He stressed that the whole team hope to have a great night and embody the saying “All’s well ends well”. He went on to say: “I do not look for words of wish or hope to address to the best fans in our beloved homeland as we have a challenge between us as players that the Ainawi Nation will leave no empty seat in Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, simply because they are our official partners in this achievement that would not happen without their constant support and standing behind the team all the time.”
Commenting on what the league title means for him specially this is the second time he will raise it up since joining Al Ain and the 13th in the history of Al Ain Club, he said: “Every championship I achieve with Al Ain Club has its own place and uniqueness in my heart. However, the championship title of this season is the most important and exciting and the loveliest one in all my career.”
When asked about reasons behind that, he stated: “Because we have faced extraordinary challenges from the start, and because this season we are celebrating Al Ain’s Golden Jubilee. It is not logical that the “Boss” celebrates this important occasion without clinching the league title. With this in mind, we have a determination to make it double joy and be crowned with the AGL Title. Thanks God for helping us to achieve our goal.” He added: “I have to admit that this title for me has a special consideration compared to any other title.”
As for being nominated to the PLC’s Best Goalkeeper Award this year and for the fourth time in his career, he confirmed: “It’s certainly good and important matter for me and it is a sign that proves that I and my teammates exerted lots of efforts to be the best and look as one family.” He added: “It is not a secret to tell you that when I won the award of “Golden Gloves” in my first season with Al Ain, I did promise in my press statements at that time that I will be in the list of nominees for this award as long as I hold the logo of Al Ain regardless who won it.”
“Unquestionably, to be one of the top and best three goalkeepers annually gives me a sense of satisfaction and confirms that we are on the right track as perform well and that satisfies the ambitions of my colleagues, Al Ain Club Management, the technical staff and our loyal fans,” said he.
On reasons that made it possible for the “Boss” to win the league title despite all challenges that the team faces in the beginning of the season, he said: “I believe that the results and the level we have reached are attributable to one thing: our solidarity and leaving no space for mistakes like the ones we committed last season, i.e. not giving the chance to any kind intervention in our affairs including the sport street, media or any other party. We did vow since the kick-off of the season to achieve a clear and sound goal which is writing a new history in the Club’s championships record and make our fans happy by the end of May 2018.”
In response to a question on the certain cases of intolerance that accompanied certain key big games in the Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup, he pointed out: “Certainly, challenge and excitement are very important factors in football, but it is necessary to adopt a policy of respect, sportsmanship, and intolerance.” He underlined: “fanaticism for the logo of the team in a positive manner is often required but we do not wish that our sport reach a stage of boredom, especially since we have recently heard that certain intolerance cases turned into abuse and then it develops into filing reports and cases in the police stations. We all should know our duties towards the team be committed not to adopt the policy of encroachment and transgression of all components of the football game and not only the fans.”
“From my point of view, as a player, I think there is only one positive aspect of using the video technology, that is maintaining and re-establishing a right of one of the two sides of the match,” said he in response to a question on his point of view in using the video technology. He added: “However, disadvantages of this technology are numerous, including: reducing the rhythm of the match in an apparent way, diminishing the pleasure and excitement of football which is a game closely connected to mistakes committed by the players, coaches or even referees that are part of the game. Such mistakes that motivate everyone to follow up sports programs and post their reactions on social medial sites.” He signed off: “Football is tasteless in the presence of the video technology.”
