Zoran: I Count on the Ability of the “Boss’” Players to Landslide Al Jazira
In the pre-match press conference of Al Ain and Al Jazira match, Croatia’s Head Coach of Al Ain FC, Zoran Mamic, expressed his pleasure to come back to the State following the end of the team’s mission in AFC Champions League and to resume the Arabian Gulf League again after a long period of interruption. Commenting on the coming match, he stated: “Our next match will not be easy as we are playing against a strong competitor with quality players who are skilled in fast-paced play and full-court pace, besides finishing their strikes against the opponent net in the right manner. This means we have to be so cautious and fully focused, and we have to show our robust desire to score goals against the opponent so that we can come back from Abu Dhabi with three points in hand.”
He added: “Personally, I fully count on my squad’s capability to honourably perform well and in the manner that would enable them to thrash the home team in their own turf and among their fans.”
On the players’ general conditions following the recent match in Iran, particularly Hussein El Shahat, he pointed out: “All my players are in the highest levels of readiness for Al Jazira’s confrontation scheduled this coming Saturday on Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.”
Commenting on a question on the future of Egypt’s professional player, Hussein El Shahat, with the team, he said: “The stories and rumours on players’ transfer into other clubs are endless.” “Personally, I have already recommended to retain the player within the current squad for his quality skills and ability to make the difference. Definitely, Al Ain is required to renew for the player and that might exceed the pre-set limits of contracting,” said he.
“Indeed, the decision to contract with El Shahat is not only in the hands of the coach, but the two clubs’ and the player himself who plays a key role in concluding the deal to transfer to Al Ain. What I am sure of is that Hussein’s has the strong desire continue to play for Al Ain and I wish to have him in my line-up,” said he.
He underlined the fact that: “In the world of football things change overnight and it is a fact that prior having El Shahat with us nobody was expecting him to arrive at this stage of performance. Anyway, following giving him the chance to achieve all these successes, still there are cautions to be taken in consideration as a result of transferring to another club other than Al Ain. To have a new experience with another club is not easy at all and there are numerous factors to take into account.”
In response to a question on the superiority of Al Ain over Al Jazira during the past two seasons in terms of performance while the latter always succeeds in achieving a positive result, he said: “As I mentioned to you, we are required to deal with the opponent with high focus and caution as of the kick-off whistle until the last minute of the match.”
On excluding “Amoory” from the list of the UAE National Team, he stated: “I did comment on this issue before. There is for sure a mistake and personally I have no clue about what happened in Kuwait as I was not with them. However, players were punished and received a suspension penalty. At any rate, what I am sure of is that “Amoory” will re-join the national team in the following camp as he is the man who can make the difference and one of the most important players in the starting line-up. Indeed, the UAE National Team in need of his efforts and his other excluded colleagues”.
