Sport | Football
Al Ain on a mission
Al Ain have been in a steady decline in recent years and finished last season without silverware.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:59 September 12, 2008
- Morocco's Soufiane Alloudi (right) shoots and scores against Namibia during their African Cup of Nations soccer match. The Moroccan is one of the few professionals who will be playing a key role for the club in the new season.
- Image Credit: AP
Abu Dhabi: Many consider Al Ain to be UAE's number one club, but the team faces a huge challenge as they bid for the first ever professional league title.
Al Ain have won nine league titles, more than any other UAE club.
Their league titles are backed up with four President Cup wins as well as the Asia Club Champion in 2003 and then runners-up in 2005.
Al Ain have been the biggest success story in UAE club football for the last decade.
But 2007-08 season was one of their worst campaigns in recent times.
For the first time in over a decade the Purple Nation failed to win any silverware.
The club has the largest fanbase in the UAE but they were left highly disappointed at the end of the season.
Large support
And the departure of star players like Subait Khater and Hilal Saeed has heaped more disappointment on the fans.
Attendances could begin to dwindle unless German coach Winfried Schafer manages to halt Al Ain's fortunes, which have been on the slide for the last few years.
After winning three consecutive league titles 2001-02, to 2003-04, Al Ain finished runners-up in 2004-05.
They dropped to fourth the following year and in hit an all-time low of ninth in 2006-07.
Last year they fared slightly better with a sixth place finish but a barren spell in cup competitions has piled more pressure on Schafer and his team.
In goal Al Ain have two experienced and talented keepers in Waled Salem and Moataz Abdullah.
Their defence boats of a fine mix of youth and experience.
With veteran Fahad Ali calling it a day, Abdullah Ali and Humaid Fakher provide a solid presence while Ali Mssari and Ali Wehaibi add youthful exuberance.
But the crux of the side looks set to be the midfield where the absence of Subait Khater and Hilal Saeed could be crucial.
Foreign players
It is here that the success, or failure, of their foreign imports will prove crucial.
Chilean Jorge Valdivia, who played for Palmeiras in the Brazil, has been drafted in at a reportedly whopping 17 million euros
He should be partnered by Brazilian Andre Diaz, who has already proved himself in the UAE league with Al Wasl.
Moroccan Soufiane Alloudi has become a fans' favourite and with the foreign trio leading the way, Al Ain hope to regain their status as the UAE's top club.
Al Ain were the dominant force in UAE football, winning three league titles in a row from 2001-02. Last season they won nothing and their fans expect better. The club will be looking toward its trio of foreign players to lead them back up the league and a return to their glory of a few years ago.
FACTFILE
- Established: 1968
- President: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
- Stadium: Shaikh Khalifa International Stadium, which has a 15,000 capacity
- League champions: Nine times – 1976-77, 80-81, 83-84, 92-93, 1999-2000, 2001-02, 20002-03, 2003-04
- AFC Champions League winners: 2003
- Coach: Winfried Schafer
- Foreign professionals: Andre Diaz (Brazil), Jorge Valdivia (Chile), Soufiane Alloudi (Morocco)
- Players to watch: Ali Al Wehaibi, Ali Mssari, Humaid Fakher, Jorge Valdivia, Andre Diaz
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Football
Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup
A total of 970 scored in four editions
Sport Editor's choice
-
Agassi's book reveals lies he 'can't live with'
It turns out Andre Agassi was lying throughout his career.
-
Inside the mind of Pacman
In the ring with Manny Pacquiao to see what makes this boxer tick
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
