Al Ain would be delighted to welcome Manchester City back to their Hazza bin Zayed Stadium next year – hopefully as Champions League winners.
The Premier League champions secured a 3-0 triumph over the 11-time UAE league winners on Thursday night as they made good on a promise to grace the Boss’ new 25,000-seater home.
With two titles in three years now to their name and a squad crammed full of world-class players, City’s draw is obvious even before their Abu Dhabi-based ownership is taken into consideration.
Fireworks pierced the night sky following the game in recognition of the Manchester club’s recent success, and with domestic dominance secured they can be expected to mount a ferocious assault on the Champions League next term – a competition in which they have so far flattered to deceive.
“We hope they come back, with the Premier League and also the Champions League,” Al Ain board member Mohammed bin Bdoua told Sport360° yesterday.
“We have not yet asked them but if you want to ask someone for something it is best to ask them when they are happy.”
Thursday night’s match also represented the first time Al Ain’s new stadium had been sold out since it opened at the end of January.
The hosts started the game with a strong side, featuring the likes of Omar Abdulrahman and Mirel Radoi, and held their own, with the game goalless until the 63rd minute.
Bin Bdoua said that was further cause for celebration and felt the 21,437 spectators in attendance – City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan among them – would have gone home happy.
He added: “That’s what really made us so happy, and I think all of the fans enjoyed the game.
“Not all of the fans see the result or who wins or who loses, but what people saw was that the champions of English Premier League and their own team played the first half and it was a wonderful game.
“In the second half we changed a lot of players, but we did not see the result in that period.”
With tomorrow’s President’s Cup meeting with all-conquering Al Ahli in mind, Al Ain invited a number of guest players – such as Al Wahda’s Ismail Matar – to play for them.
The match featured more than 20 substitutions, as the Hazza crowd was treated to an exhibtion game featruing a number of the Middle East’s finest players.
Arabian Gulf League topscorer Asamoah Gyan was rested altogether, ensuring he would be in peak condition for the upcoming showpiece clash tomorrow.
The Ghana striker was in attendance though, revelling in the presence of the EPL’s top side.
“The players are really happy, and really appreciate Manchester City coming to play us,” Gyan said. “They are one of the best teams in the world, it is a great feeling.”
Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic was similarly enthused about being part of the Blues’ celebrations in the UAE following a trophy-laden campaign, also telling his squad to take inspiration from the physical conditioning of their opponents.
“It was a very nice party, a big day for my club,” the 47-year-old said.
“We enjoyed having Manchester City, a very big team. We are part of the Manchester City celebration, and that is very big for us.
“The players can see the shape of players of Manchester City, and it is a big motivation for them to work on their fitness. Players must be strong in football, and must look like City players.”
