Ahmed Barman insists personal glory does not concern him, only collective success with his team-mates as Al Ain go in search of a record-extending 13th UAE top-flight crown.
A first Arabian Gulf League title in three years will belong to the Boss on Saturday if they defeat resurgent Al Nasr in Dubai.
UAE international Barman, 24, has been an almost ever-present for Zoran Mamic’s side in a near flawless campaign that has seen them lose just once in 20 league games.
Barman has played 18 of those games in the heart of Al Ain’s midfield, but he has been overlooked for the end of season AGL awards and does not feature on the 10-man shortlist for the Best Emirati Player – which does include team-mates Rayan Yaslam, Omar Abdulrahman, Ismail Ahmed and Mohanad Salem.
But ahead of a pivotal clash with the fourth-placed Blue Wave who have lost just one league game since Serbian coach Ivan Jovanovic returned for a second stint in January, Barman says he is more interested on lifting the league title as opposed to individual accolades.
“I think there are evaluation committees better to ask this question,” said Barman when asked in the pre-match press conference whether he was irked by not being nominated for the Best Emirati Player award.
“The truth is every player wishes to enter the competition for the end of season awards, but I am satisfied and happy at the level I am at with my team, thanks to the guidance of the coach, and all I want is to help my fellow players and compete for the championship.
“I am very happy to compete for Al Ain for the league prizes and any personal award would come second compared to being crowned a league title winner with the club.”
Mamic, meanwhile, insists he won’t be thinking at all of winning the title on Saturday.
“I do not think at all about the celebrations as much as our focus on providing the level which leads us to win the game,” said the Croatian.
Despite the carrot of winning a first major title of his tenure and a maiden trophy since the 2015 Arabian Gulf Super Cup dangling in front of him, Mamic knows his side face a tricky task, with Nasr aiming to climb into the coveted third automatic AFC Champions League slot with victory.
“We are well aware our next game against Al Nasr will not be easy, especially since they have been playing at a high level in their last seven league games. I think that if they started the season at the same level they would be on top of the table.”
Barman reiterated the threat posed by the Blue Wave and their coach Ivanovic, who replaced former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli – who had ironically been brought in to replace him in October 2016 – at the beginning of the year.
Ivan Jovanovic has returned to Al Nasr and had a huge effect on the club.
“The opponents have been good for the past seven rounds, but we are required to be strong enough to achieve the best result with respect to our ambitions, regardless of the pressures we face,” added Barman.
“We are certainly going to the opposing team’s stadium with the ambition of winning and every game we consider as a final. We seek to show our best and hope to perform in line with our personal ambitions and satisfy the fans of the club.”
Jovanovic said he expects a great game between the two rivals, with both having huge motivation for victory.
“Without a doubt there will be a strong and enjoyable match for the two teams as well as the fans, as each team has a lot of motivation to win,” said the 55-year-old.
“We will enter the game to win to maintain third place qualify for the AFC Champions League.”
Nasr were usurped of third-place on Friday following Bur Dubai rivals Al Wasl’s 2-0 win over Hatta.
