Abu Dhabi: Al Ain has opted for another Croatian — Zoran Mamic to take over the reigns from compatriot Zlatko Dalic.
The purple brigade parted ways with Dalic after the team went without a win in three successive Arabian Gulf League matches and slipped seven points adrift of leaders Al Jazira. In Dalic’s absence, they won against champions Al Ahli in the last outing and have put their campaign back on track.
Mamic, 45, will straightway be under the pump as Al Ain is scheduled to play Al Nasr in their own backyard Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Friday. Mamic has switched loyalties from Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and his previous experiences include coaching Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.
“I’m very happy to be here and I thank the President and the club members for giving me the opportunity to coach such a big club. I can promise that I will give everything with my staff, a lot of energy, a lot of hard work and will give our best. I know what is the expectation of this club and the job at hand,” said Mamic, who has signed a contract for 18 months.
“This club deserves to win the League, the Cup and this club deserves to play in the Champions League and win that trophy. This is what I like, the club with big reputation and club with big ambition. I want you to accept me and my staff. We don’t have much time as we have a match against an opponent on Friday who beat us in the Cup game. It won’t be an easy match,” said Mamic adding that, he spoke to Dalic and his staff and managed a lot of inputs from him.
Meanwhile, Al Wasl will be looking to take advantage of a depleted Al Wahda side to move into the second spot in the standings with a win in round 17 of the Arabian Gulf League at their home ground Zabeel Stadium on Thursday. The action starts at 8.15pm.
‘The Cheetahs’ come into this contest after a 2-1 win over Al Nasr and have moved into third place with 33 points. Al Wahda, on the other hand, are fifth with 25 points and have their task cut out in the absence of several key players. They will be missing the services of two of their key players — Hungarian winger Balazs Dzsudzsak and Argentine striker Sebastian Tagliabue. Both are serving suspension following the red card they received during their round 15 match against Al Jazira which they lost 1-5
Their Chilean star medio Jorge Valdivia, though taking part in training, is not expected to take the field as he is still not match fit, revealed coach Javier Aguirre. However, goalkeeper Rashed Al Suwaidi, after serving a one-match ban, is back in the side.
“Valdivia has fully recovered from injury and took part in training, but is still not cent per cent match-fit,” said coach Aguirre adding that he wants to make sure Valdivia is fit for the AFC Champions League play-off clash later in the week against Wehdat of Jordan, who beat India’s Bangalore FC 2-1 on Tuesday.
A win against Wehdat will allow Al Wahda to join Qatar’s Al Rayyan, Saudi’s Al Hilal and Iran’s Persepolis in Group B of the continental showpiece event.
“Defender Ahmad Rashid and medio Sultan Al Ghafri is back in the side. We have been in such situations before so we are confident of doing well. A win here will be a boost going into the AFC clash,” asserted Aguirre.
Al Ahli will also be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Al Ain last week when they take on Dibba on Friday.
Fixtures
Thursday’s matches
Al Dhafra vs Sharjah (5:25pm)
Al Wasl vs Al Wahda (08:15)
Al Jazira vs Kalba (5.25pm)
Friday
Dibba vs Al Ahli (5:15pm)
Al Ain vs Al Nasr (8:15pm)
Saturday
Hatta vs Bani Yas (5:15)
Al Shabab vs Emirates (8:15)
