Sport | Football
Al Ahli look for Super start
Former champions Al Ahli have been the biggest losers this time - they released four players to the national squad but no-one seems to be complaining.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:39 September 10, 2008
- Al Ahli train ahead of the first fully professional season in the UAE. The Dubai club will be looking to mount a strong bid for the league title.
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
Dubai: Former champions Al Ahli have been the biggest losers this time - they released four players to the national squad but no-one seems to be complaining.
Club officials say they were proud to see Faisal Khalil, Obaid Al Tawillah, Adil Abdul Aziz and Esmail Hammadi called up to the UAE squad for the latest 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
"It is always a pleasure for us to see our players representing the country," said Abdul Majid Hussain, the team director at Al Ahli.
"Besides we have a good strength on the bench, and they are there to serve the interest of the team," he said.
"We feel proud to send our players on national duty. It is an honour for the club and the player.
"We have to make the sacrifice, but this is something that all big clubs do all over the world of football.
"This is the price we have to pay for being a big club," added Abdul Majid.
But the team's coach Ivan Hasek said there were both advantages and disadvantages.
Match fit
He said: "It is good for us as the players stay match fit while being with the national squad.
"It takes them very little time to adapt to the club circumstances.
"I know it is handicap at the moment as we don't have our best players with us. But they will be back with the team soon," added Hasek.
However, the young Czech coach will be hoping to avoid the injuries sustained by his squad last season.
His first-choice defender Mohammad Qasim and temperamental yet decisive playmaker Ali Abbas both missed games.
"Yes, both of them are not yet in good shape, but they will be ready in due course of time," said Hasek.
As a result the club has looked to outside the UAE and bring in some strong professional players from abroad.
Al Ahli released playmaker Marcos Assuncao to Al Shabab and signed up the best players from the African Nations Cup in Hosni Abdo Rabo of Egypt.
Brazilian striker
They also brought in Brazilian striker Jader Volnei Spindler from J-League side Gamba Osaka.
With the players available, Al Ahli will be looking to hit the ground running when the season gets under way with the Super Cup against Al Shabab on September 14.
"Our aim is to win the first match. Far too often have we started on a losing note during the past couple of seasons," said the coach.
The side held a European training camp and after two weeks in Austria, the team played a couple of friendlies in London against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
"We have what it takes to be successful as a club. We've had a great training stint in Europe, and now it is time to deliver.
"A few more days of working on the tactical and technical aspects and our team will be ready to start the season on a winning note.
"And that is the intention," said coach Hasek.
Former champions Al Ahli have strengthened their squad over the summer with some overseas signings including a new forward. The side will be looking to again challenge for honours. But the key to their chances may well be avoiding the injuries to key players that the team suffered last year.
FACTFILE
- Name: Al Ahli
- Stadium: Rashid Stadium
- City: Dubai
- Formed in: 1970
- League titles: (4) 1974-75; 1975-76; 1979-80; 2005-06
- Cup wins: (7) 1975; 1977; 1988; 1996; 2002; 2004; 2008
- 2007-08 finish: Third position
- Coach: Ivan Hasek (Czech Republic)
- Foreign Pros: Clederson Cesar de Souza (Brazil); Jader Volnei Spindler (Brazil); Hosni Abdo Rabo (Egypt)
- UAE star players: Faisal Khalil, Salem Khamis, Adil Abdul Aziz, Mohammad Qasim.
- Colours: Red
- Nickname: The Red Devils
- Stadium: Maktoum Stadium.
- Capacity: 12,000
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