With 23 players in the squad.. “Al Zaeem” mission arrives in Riyadh, KSA aboard a private plane
Mohammed Obaid Hammad: We do not deal with expectations and we rely on the team’s character and our players’ capabilities
We closed the page of local competitions temporarily and our focus is on the national challenges in the AFC Champions League
Presided by Mohammed Obaid Hammad, member of Al Ain Football Club Steering Committee and Supervisor of Al Ain First Team and the Reserve Team, “Al Zaeem” mission arrived in Riyadh, KSA, today, aboard a private plane from Al Ain International Airport for the match against Al Fayhaa, KSA scheduled for tomorrow evening, Tuesday, at King Fahd Stadium, as part of the fourth round of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League group stage.
Al Ain is looking forward to secure an early qualification card from Group A in tomorrow’s match, after achieving a full score of nine points from three matches. Meanwhile, Al Ain opponents Al Fayha, KSA, Pakhtakor, Uzbakistan, and Ahal, Turkmanistan are equal with three points each, with one win and two losses in three rounds.
In press statements, Mohammed Obaid Hammad stated that the task of “Al Zaeem” in Riyadh, KSA will not be easy, based on the concept that there are no easy matches in the world of football. “Everyone realizes the importance of the current stage in all competitions, especially the AFC Champions League and we always refer that the players’ sense of responsibility in defending Al Ain badge in their national duty gives them the crucial motivation to achieve their personal aspirations and make Al Ain loyal fans happy”.
Regarding the impact of Al Ain recent loss in the League on the continental journey, he said “Al Ain has temporarily closed the page of local competitions, and currently, all our focus is on the continental championship. Being defeated in football is possible, and big clubs always deal with negative results positively by discussing the reasons and finding solutions to restore balance and rearrange their affairs”, he stated.
Commenting on his expectations for Al Ain qualification to the post-group stage after achieving the full score, he said, “No doubt, as I mentioned to you, that our focus is currently on doubling efforts and dealing with the required seriousness to achieve the desired result in Riyadh. Actually, football always deals wit the dedication, and we also rely on “Al Zaeem’s” character and the players’ sense of responsibility, particularly when it is related to defending Al Ain badge in a national mission. Everyone is well aware of what is required of them, and we ask Allah for guidance, success, and a strong result for Al Ain upon their return from Riyadh.”
23 players
Al Ain Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder selected 23 players for the team’s squad heading to Saudi Arabia; Khaled Issa, Mohammed Saeed Bosanda, Sultan Al Manzari, Kouame Autonne, Khaled Al Hashimi, Mohammed Ali Shaker, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Saeed Jumaa, Erik Jorgens, Mansour Al Shamsi, Khaled Ali Al Balushi, Park Young-woo, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Berman, Mohammed Abbas, Falah Walid, Abdul Karim Traoré, Sultan Al Shamsi, Hazem Abbas, Alejandro Kaku, Soufiane Rahimi, Issa Khalafan, and Laba Kodjo.
