Mohammad Abu Trika bows out from Bani Yas in style

Abu Dhabi: On-loan Egyptian striker Mohammad Abu Trika brought the curtain down on his time with Bani Yas on Thursday night as he starred in his team’s first ever GCC Champions League triumph.

The second leg of the final, which Bani Yas won 2-0 against Al Khor of Qatar for a 3-1 aggregate victory, was Abu Trika’s last match for the Abu Dhabi club before returning to parent club Al Ahli in his homeland.

The 34-year-old, who has 97 caps for Egypt, played a dynamic role in Bani Yas’ successful GCC campaign. He scored the winner against Najran from Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals and then netted the first goal in the second leg of the final against Al Khor, before creating the second for Nawaf Mubarak.

“It was my last match with Bani Yas and I am going back to Al Ahli after my loan has ended,” Abu Trika confirmed after the match. “I am pleased to leave after Bani Yas won the GCC title.

“I have spent an excellent time with the team and I have enjoyed much support from the fans and officials of the club and from my colleagues. I will be happy if the chance was given to me to come back again and play for them in the new season, but that is to be decided between Al Ahli and Bani Yas.”

Midfielder Nawaf also played a pivotal role, creating chances and using his long-range capabilities to wreck havoc among the Al Khor defenders and goalkeeper.

Nawaf created the first goal from a free-kick and then scored a spectacular second with a first-time shot that sealed the result and title for his team.

“I am happy for the fans who did not let us down and came to support us. They have been great all through the season and this title is the least we can do for them,” he said.

“It was a long and tough season and we played some good football and, while we lost all domestic titles, it is nice to win the GCC Champions League to compensate our fans.

“We have a number of young, highly talented players and I do believe that this title is the start and not the end of our team. We promise to win more titles in the new season.”

After the match there was a nice sentiment from Bani Yas players to remember their late colleague Diab Awana, who died in a car crash two years ago, as most of them, headed by captain Yousuf Jaber, wore shirts showing pictures of Diab.