Al Ain coach hails Abdul Rahman' return to the field

Al Ain: Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu has welcomed Omar Abdul Rahman's return after six months out with a cruciate ligament injury.

Having watched his reserve side's recent 2-1 victory over Ajman in matchday 11 of the Etisalat Reserve League, Olaroiu was happy with what he saw from the 20-year-old recuperating midfielder.

Olaroiu said: "He is a valued add for Al Ain. I was not sure of seeing Omar in action on the pitch again, because this is the second injury he has had in less than two years. I wish him success with his colleagues."

Achievements

Although he has taken Abdul Rahman's two brothers, Mohammad and Khalid Abdul Rahman, and Fawzi Fayez, Mohammad Al Enezi and Mohammad Nasser from the reserves to join the first team, Olaroiu is holding off on Abdul Rahman's re-inclusion.

"We should give him time so he can get ready again. He was off for six months, and he needs more time to get ready for a good appearance as we used to see him," he said.

Abdul Rahman, known as Amoory, was the youngest UAE player at the 2011 Asia Cup, and was part of the country's golden youth generation that lifted the 2008 U19 Asia Cup and the 2010 U23 Gulf Cup, as well as winning an Asian Games silver medal. With Al Ain, he has already won the Etisalat Cup, Super Cup and President's Cup in 2009 before a spate of injuries.

Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Yemeni parents, he was naturalised along with his family after joining Al Ain in 2008.