Tariq Ahmed wooed by Al Wahda

Matt Jones - Editor 11:14 25/07/2016
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  • Out to impress: Tariq Ahmed in training with Al Wahda.

    New recruit Tariq Ahmed has revealed Al Wahda’s eye-catching style of play was behind his decision to move to Al Nahyan Stadium from Dibba Al Fujairah this summer.

    The diminutive yet dangerous midfielder played all 26 Arabian Gulf League games for last season’s new boys, netting four goals. The 26-year-old Emirati’s performances caught the eye of the Clarets, who snapped him up along with team-mate Nasser Abdulhadi.

    Ahmed labelled Wahda, who finished third in the top flight to claim a berth in the 2017 AFC Champions League playoffs, as a “huge” club and insists he can’t wait to start the season with them.

    “The style of play that Wahda play was a particular attraction of joining this team. I like it, it’s more offensive,” said Ahmed at Wahda’s Al Shahama academy training base a few days prior to the club’s departure for their pre-season tour to Spain.

    “I was aware of their interest (last season) and I was contacted by so many clubs, but I chose Al Wahda because it is a great club in the UAE and any player would wish to play for them. I’m very excited as I’ve joined a huge team.”

    Although Dibba largely impressed on their return to the top flight, they lost coach Theo Bucker a few weeks ago when the German was lured to Emirates Club amid confusion about a reported contract extension.

    With Bucker departing, Ahmed says he feels it was also the right time for him to move on, although he has happy memories of his time on the UAE’s north-east coast.

    “I will definitely miss the club and the players. I learnt to play football with Dibba and I will miss those days,” said Ahmed, who was joint third highest goalscorer for his club, four and three strikes respectively behind Ivorians Boris Kabi and Bakari Kone.

    “Hopefully, I will keep scoring to help my team. I joined Al Wahda to help the team achieve titles and cups. Hopefully I can be an asset in helping the team achieve those goals. I’ve joined a big team and also under the coaching of a great coach in Javier Aguirre. This is a great group of players and I’m looking forward to doing better than last season.”

    Ahmed’s ascension up the AGL ranks means his regular starting role from Dibba is under threat. Sultan Al Ghaferi was involved in the UAE’s King’s Cup campaign last month, while 20-year-old Mohammed Abdulbasit is highly rated.

    The ex-Al Wasl starlet accepts he may have to bide his time before he is able to fully establish himself in the Clarets’ first team, but he is not daunted. He also hopes that playing on a bigger stage may help him gain international recognition.

    “I must have patience in order to be able to achieve my goals,” he said. “I’m young but I am patient and I am sure I will get my chance to impress. Hopefully, I can one day play for the national team.”

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