EXCLUSIVE: Stoch on shocking Spain and Al Ain’s AGL ambitions

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  • Purple patch: Miroslav Stoch has impressed in his first three months in the Garden City.

    Sport’s great virtue is the un­bridled joy it can create. One moment can bring a nation to its feet, united in wild celebra­tion. For a select few, they have the opportunity to be at the centre of those magnified events.

    Mere mortals cheer from the terraces and in front of their televisions. Elite professional footballers such as Miroslav Stoch create the pandemonium.

    The winger has impressed since joining Al Ain on a season-long loan from Turkish giants Fenerbahce this summer. A blend of perspira­tion and inspiration endearing him to his new club, a fine start to the campaign was given a high-point neither he or his country will ever forget on October 9.

    Spain, the dominant force in world football prior to this summer’s World Cup, were the visitors to Slovakia for a Euro 2016 qualifier. With the game tied at 1-1, Stoch nodded in a Michal Duris cross with three minutes of nor­mal time left to secure a victory that reverber­ated far beyond Zilina’s Stadion Pod Dubnom.

    Unadulterated passion erupted, a topless Stoch swinging his shirt and jumping into the arms of his ecstatic team-mates.

    “It was right at the end and a winning goal,” the 25-year-old told Sport360°. “It was like an explosion within myself. I was so happy, I tried to run to the bench and somebody almost killed me there to stop me.

    “We celebrated and it was so nice.           

    “In first-team football, it was my first goal with my head. It was a really big moment for me. I saw the ball coming and it was a clear chance. I had never done it before. I headed it alright, and it finished in the net.

    “It was great, fantastic. Before the game people expected we could take maybe one point, Spain are a big team.

    “They had a bad World Cup but everybody knows the quality of their players. It was a nice atmosphere at home and a big win.

    “Now, we have to continue to get more wins and get to Euro 2016.”

    Stoch has come to the Garden City on the back of another temporary spell at Greek side PAOK. The wide man impressed away last term, his displays eliciting plenty of covet­ous glances. When asked whether he desired his next move to be a permanent one, Stoch declared he was concentrating solely on being successful at Al Ain for now.

    He said: “There was a lot of interest. I still have a contract in Fenerbahce, and that’s what was the biggest problem.

    “Al Ain were really interested in me, and very serious in the talks with my agent. I am here for one year, so we will see what happens after this season.

    “I want to help this team. Everywhere I play, I am trying to do my best and to win things. Last year was the first time in first-team football that I did not win anything.

    “We probably have the best team but we need to keep improving by working hard. In the end, I hope we can celebrate and our fans are expecting this.”

    A peripatetic career has been enjoyed thus far, featuring six clubs in six different coun­tries. Stoch lifted the Eredivisie league title at Dutch side Twente, as well as claiming the Super Lig, Turkish Cup (2) and FIFA Puskas Award for 2012’s finest goal in world football for a stupendous volley while at Fenerbahce.

    But it is at Chelsea where his fondest mem­ories lie, his formative years with the Blues from 2006 to 2010 leading to four Premier League appearances and a lifetime of invalu­able experiences.

    “The most important was when I left [hometown-outfit Nitra] for England aged 16,” he said. “In Chelsea, the academy is bril­liant and I learned so, so much.

    “I was improving every day, moving up to the first team in the third year. I got the chance to play with the big players, like Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard.

    “It was a big school for me. That was the most important, as if I did not leave my coun­try as a child then I don’t know [what will have happened].

    “This is the biggest problem in my country. There is a lot of talent, but if they do not leave in the right time then it can be finished.”

    The 45-times capped international is already proving to be an invaluable cog in Zlatko Dalic’s side, buzzing up and down the flanks. Three goals have come in six Arabian Gulf League appearances, while his energy and undoubted quality saw him shine during the Boss’ run to the AFC Champions League semi-finals.

    This supreme technique was notably evi­dent in the quarter-final, second leg at Al Ittihad, his scooped assist for Asamoah Gyan a thing of refined invention.

    It is not just in attack where Stoch excels, tireless pressing also setting an example to his team-mates.

    “Since I started to play football I wanted to be an attacker and score goals,” he said. “It is nice to have a talent, but it is not everything. If you do not train to improve the talent, then it is not enough.

    “I am trying all the time to get the best from me. The most important is when you have bad times that you still work hard and believe.”

    Stoch is well settled in the UAE, the relent­less AGL fixture list taking up much of his time. Living in a Muslim country is nothing new after three years in Turkey.

    He said: “I have been in Turkey for three years and the culture is similar as the people are Muslim. When I came here, it was noth­ing new for me. I know the life, mentality and culture. I adapted very quickly.

    “I live in Al Ain, it is not far to Dubai but it is too far to travel every day. I live in a nice area.

    “When we have the chance then I go to Dubai and enjoy the beach. The weather is still very nice. But, we are training almost every day as the schedule is very tight.”

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