Zoran Mamic says it is in 'best interest' of UAE football that Al Ain have strong side for Cup clincher

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  • Zoran Mamic.

    Al Ain boss Zoran Mamic has insisted it is in the “best interest” of UAE football that he has retained a number of international stars for the Arab Club Champions Cup first-round decider against Algeria’s ES Satif.

    An eligibility row broke out after a threat was made to withhold all nine call-ups – a figure that excludes unattached superstar playmaker Omar Abdulrahman – from the Whites’ external training camp in Austria from August 1-18. This meant a strong side from the Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup holders went down 2-1 in Tuesday’s opening leg at Zagreb’s Stadion Maksimir.

    A compromise was then reached which means utility defender Mohamed Ahmed, centre-back Mohanad Salem and anchor man Ahmed Barman will be missing for Saturday’s clincher.

    “It is in Emirates football’s best interest that we created a deal in the spirit of one team,” said Mamic. “This is because our goals are shared about the preparation of players to face the challenges both at club and international level.

    “We will show the best that we have and we look forward to a superior performance.”

    One player who could feature for the first time in pre-season is 36-goal striker Marcus Berg. He is ready to be unleashed after helping Sweden make the quarter-finals in World Cup 2018.

    In midweek, veteran forward Ibrahim Diaky put Al Ain ahead from the penalty spot.

    But Algeria playmaker Abdelmoumene Djabou then converted a low cross in the latter stages of each half to hand an advantage to the Ligue Professionnelle 1 champions.

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