Dubai: Al Ain’s Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan has insisted the team deserve all the accolades coming their way at the moment.
The Garden City club won their 10th UAE league title last season and followed that up with a penalty shootuout victory over Al Jazira in the curtain-raising Etisalat Super Cup in Dubai on Monday night.
And Gyan, who completed a permanent move from English Premier League club Sunderland over the summer after spending last season on loan with Al Ain, said: “Al Ain are a very united team. This is one side where everybody works together and for each other. There is a lot of sacrifice on and off the field, so when you do this you also deserve every bit of credit that comes your way.
“If you watch the games you will see that players from Al Ain run more than the opponents. This comes automatically as every player is willing to help out others in need and do something extra so that the team can succeed.”
One of the things that Gyan has come to be loved for at his new club is his willingness to set aside his star status and work hard at being part of a successful team.
“We work really hard and we deserve everything for now. Hopefully, there are better things ahead of us that I cannot predict. So what matters to us as a team is that we win a couple of games and then see what sort of success we can reap,” the 26-year-old said.
Gyan had a couple of opportunities to open his account for the season in the goalless draw against Al Jazira on Monday, but was denied by some last-ditch defending on both occasions.
“What we were missing was the finishing touches. We were not able to finish off the game during the regulation period. We should have done so as we did get a couple of good chances,” he reflected.
“But in football things like this can happen. So what matters really is that we have retained the Super Cup even though we made a few mistakes. It is now time we go home and learn from our mistakes and come back stronger than this.
“This Super Cup is very important for our team. It is the beginning of the season and everybody’s confidence is high now due to this victory. It is really, really important for the team and for the fans. We are deserving winners.”
