'We will be stronger than before'

During the Emirates Club's recent training camp at the NFV facilities in Barsinghausen, northern Germany, the team's head coach, Reinhard Fabisch, threw some light on his views about the club and his expectations in the new season.

Following are excerpts from a free-wheeling chat ...

Your club has been in Barsinghausen for the third year in a row now, while you are here for the first time. What are your impressions about this four-week stint here with the team?

Fabisch: I'm very satisfied with these weeks here. The facilities at the Niedersachsen State FA are the best. We have the convenience of a four-star hotel and the training pitches are in the best condition directly in the neighbourhood, a stadium included. Swimming pool and fitness rooms for relaxation. The food is suitable for Arabs and the members of the staff, under the manager Wolfgang Zapfe, are always very friendly reading every wish from our lips. This is a perfect surrounding to prepare for the new season. We have worked very hard. I am satisfied with that.

Your team is one of the smaller ones in the league. They have always been fighting to avoid relegation. What is your aim this year?

When I took over last winter, we were in the last position, but we still made it to the elite league. This year, we want to build upon that success and want to reach a little bit higher. I'll be happy if we succeed in doing better, without this kind of pressure that is. And my impressions at the moment are that we can achieve this aim and be stronger than before.

What makes you believe this?

The team spirit is excellent. We have nearly the same roster from last year and now, after the training camp, I will cut it down 30 to 25 players. With our new players from Iran Hussain Ka'abi and Reza Enayati joining us, our attack will be much stronger than last year. We have worked very hard in Germany. Our team will be in a good shape for the the kickoff.

Please describe the new face of the team ...

We want to be tough in our defence. If you do not concede goals, it becomes easier to go on the counter-attacks.

Which teams are your favourites for the title?

Of course Al Ahli, with Winfried Schaefer as coach, and Al Wahda, with Horst Koeppel in charge. They are the favourites.