Dubai: A top official of Al Shaab Club firmly believes that the time is ripe for his club to start winning.
"We have the ideal setting to achieve our dreams. We have a great coach, a wonderful set of youngsters who are talented and the right atmosphere to achieve our goal," Al Shaab general secretary Obaid Al Shamsi told Gulf News.
Known as the Commandos, the only trophy in the Al Shaab cabinet is the President's Cup way back in 1993. Those were the glory days for the club that boasted of the legendary Adnan Al Talyani.
"Now we have a well knit team and an adequate bench strength that is meant to give the coach enough options," Al Shamsi stated.
The club staged a major coup when they roped in the services of Zlatko Kranjcar, Croatia's national team coach at the 2006 Fifa World Cup.
"He's big on experience and he knows what is needed from his players. He has been with many top clubs before. The players like his style and approach and we are happy with the way things are working out for us," Al Shamsi stated. However, before Al Shaab start looking ahead at the domestic season with hope, they will have to first settle scores against Al Faisaly of Jordan in their opening round encounter of the Arab Champions League tomorrow.
Al Faisaly landed in Sharjah early yesterday morning after their 2-1 win against the Tampines Rovers in the first leg of their AFC Cup quarterfinal clash in Singapore on Tuesday.
The win gives Al Faisaly a significant advantage for the return match in Amman next Tuesday.
