Ajman striker Kazemian bemoans limited playing time

Dubai: Ajman striker Jawad Kazemian has vented out his frustration being put on the substitutes' bench by coach Ze Mario.

Kazemian insists he can't comprehend the motives behind the Brazilian's decision to restrict his playing time.

The Iran international is in his second season with Ajman, a club whose UAE Football League (UFL) dreams he kept alive.

Kazemian says he has been working hard but is being deprived of enough time on the pitch even though he has scored twice in games he came on as a substitute.

Former UAE skipper Mohammad Omar and former FC Porto man Tarek Sektioui, one of Ajman's new recruits, are being picked ahead of Kazemian.

However, the 28 year old said he had no issues with Mario preferring his strike partners ahead of him.

Kazemian insists he has no issues with playing as a midfielder either, as he does within the Iran setup. All he wants is more time on the field.

"I have been working very hard. Look at the way I train; I really want to help Ajman achieve good things, but I am not being given enough time to play.

"Even against Al Ain the coach put me on the bench. I think I am ready and if there's no place in the front, I can start in the midfield.

"I play in the midfield in the Iran national team, but here my role has been restricted to that of a substitute," said Kazemian, whose six goals for Ajman last season were instrumental in helping them retain their position in the top-tier of UAE football.

Kazemian forced his way onto the score sheet despite coming on late in the second half during Ajman's 3-2 loss at Al Ain on Sunday. The goal, in his own words, was a statement.

Better fortunes

He says Ajman could be enjoy better fortunes if there was a corresponding increase in the time he spent on the pitch.

"They put me in and I go and score. I think I'm fit and can give more, but I get eight minutes and that's not enough to do something.

"I don't know why he [Mario] doesn't use me enough. Finally, he's the coach and he decides who plays and who doesn't, but he can use me in the midfield.

"I have problems with being used as a substitute and with having to start on the bench because I want to do my best to help Ajman. I signed for a second year with the club because of Shaikh Rashid and I want to help the club because I like him."

Jose Sand fired a brace and Mauricio Emerson added a third for Al Ain, while Sektioui scored Ajman's other goal.