Al Ain coach Quique Sanchez Flores has urged the club’s fans to be patient with new signing Yassine El Ghanassy.
The Belgium international was again used as a substitute as Asamoah Gyan’s late goal sealed the Boss’ passage to the President’s Cup final.
In the final, Al Ain will renew hostilities with Al Ahli, the defending champions.
Prior to Al Ain’s 2-1 win over Al Nasr at Zayed Sports City, Sanchez Flores had talked up El Ghanassy’s potential importance to his side – however, after the game he stressed the 23-year-old would need time to settle in at the Garden City.
“We needed a skilled and quick player like him in the left position and Yassine has high skills and is a fast runner on the field. He just needs time to get used to the team,” the Spaniard said.
And while Ahli are top of the Arabian Gulf League, the President’s Cup offers Al Ain their best chance of silverware this season.
With a league title to fight for and AFC Champions League on the horizon, Ahli No2 Catalin Raducan insisted the team would not be consumed by thoughts of the final.
He said: “We do not look too far into the future, we only focus on our next game.”
Meanwhile, Mohammed Thani Al Romaithi, chairman of the Pro League Committee (PLC) and chairman of the Executive Office, confirmed that the PLC’s revenue has increased to Dh177 million for the 2013/14 season thanks to broadcast and sponsorship deals.
He said: “Our ambition is growing season after season, and as can be seen in the Arabian Gulf League currently, the competition on the field and in the league table is at a very high level and it is difficult to predict who will win the title or be relegated.
"This adds to the value of our league and also entices more fans to take an active interest in matches."
