Al Ain trained in their new home for the first time yesterday as the club opened the new Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Hoping to get used to the new pitch ahead of their first game on the new soil in a fortnight’s time, coach Quique Sanchez Flores put his players through their paces at the 25,000-seater stadium.
The club’s chairman of the board, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Khaled Al Nahyan said: “The Hazza Bin Zayed stadium sets new standards with its sophisticated designs, engineering and world class facilities, that reflects our passions for the game and our vision for the future,” he said.
“We are sure it will be a successful platform for our team to reach our goals.”
The stadium covers an area of 45,000 square metres and it is 50m high which makes it one of the high-est buildings in Al Ain City. With a huge screen measuring 40 square metres to show scores, times and action replays, parking, complete facilities for visitors with special needs and all year round busy schedule of activities, the club is hoping the stadium encourages an all encompassing sporting atmosphere for fans and football lovers, with an extra emphasis on families.
The stadium is a rare bright spot in the season so far for Al Ain who are 11 points off the pace as they vie for a third straight title.
A player likely to regularly light up the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium is local star Omar Abdulrahman who believes the stadium can be a wel-come boost. “We are thrilled. It provides a great platform for a new start and a renewed strength to our club. We are very proud to call this our home and we are sure all our fans and supporters will be happy with all what it offers.”
The Boss take on Al Wasl on Fri-day night in Al Ain at the Tahnon bin Mohamed Stadium.
