New Al Ain signing Yaser Matar has targeted winning the AFC Champions League before he retires.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder was the biggest name mover on transfer deadline day, switching to the Boss from Arabian Gulf League rivals Al Jazira, where he had spent almost six years.
Matar, who rose through the ranks at Al Wahda alongside older brother and UAE international Ismail before signing for the Pride of Abu Dhabi in 2010, said he had realised a childhood dream by joining the Garden City club.
“Anyone who loves football in the UAE wants to be linked to Al Ain,” said Matar at his unveiling at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium last night. “Joining Al Ain is a dream I have had since I was a young player, like a lot of other footballers in the UAE and Gulf region. I cannot find the words to express my happiness. I would like to show my thanks and appreciation to Al Jazira, which is where I spent the best moments of my career in football. I enjoyed some great achievements with them and wish them every success for the future.”
Al Ain are the reigning AGL champions, having won three of the last four championships, while they currently top the table, three points ahead of Al Ahli. The Red Knights toppled the Boss in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League last May, going on to lose to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 in the final, and Matar believes the current Al Ain squad have the potential to go one better and win the title.
“There is no roof to my ambitions with Al Ain and I hope that with the team I can win the AFC Champions League title. I have every confidence that the current squad are able to achieve this goal,” he said.
“I think I joined the club came at the right time in my career. I will double my efforts and show my best for the team. I wish to present my best and consistent level and my aspirations are the same as the masses of Al Ain fans.”
.@alainfcae new player "Yaser Matar" will wear number 99
#alainfc pic.twitter.com/lpDLgQfHhY
— Al Ain FC - EN (@alainfcae_en) January 25, 2016Head coach Zlatko Dalic welcomed Matar’s arrival and believes he can prove to be a useful addition to the squad.
“Yaser has good abilities which we hope he will show to help the team achieve its objectives this season,” said the Croatian. “We need the efforts of every player in the team, especially as Al Ain face significant challenges in the future, including fighting for the AFC Champions League, President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf League.”
Matar becomes the second defenisve midfielder to leave Jazira for a big domestic rival in a week following the sale of Khamis Esmail to Ahli. Yet another player to depart Mohammed bin Zayed stadium was veteran centre-back Juma Abdulla, with the 33-year-old joining AGL strugglers Al Dhafra.
Eighth-placed Fujairah were also busy, adding two names to their squad. Ivan Hasek’s side agreed loan deals for youngsters Rashid Jalal, who joins from Al Nasr, and Waleed Hussein, who arrives from Al Ahli.
