First-team supremo Zlatko Dalic declared he had seen “some players for the future of Al Ain” after watching the club’s youths finish fourth in the Hazza Bin Zayed International Under 17 Football Tournament.
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Yesterday’s final and third-place play-off in the Garden City saw the annual six-day competition reach its crescendo. Croatian powerhouses Dinamo Zagreb came from behind to defeat the hosts 2-1 in the latter contest, substitute Ivan Niksic’s superb curled winner coming after influential defender Mihael Briski had levelled from a corner.
Al Ain excelled in the first half under their senior boss’ gaze before fading, going ahead through Golden Boot-winner Ali Eid’s excellent take and low finish.
The forward has impressed throughout, a beautiful strike in the opening Group A contest on March 26 against eventual finalists Espanyol the highlight of his three-goal haul.
Eid and attacking midfielder Khaled Mohammed were the standout players in front of Dalic at Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.
“I think this tournament is a big chance for young players to show their talent and potential,” the Croatian coach said.
Good news for @uaefa_ae. #alainfc forward Ali Eid took Golden Boot and @AlJazira_uae‘s Zayed Abdulla named best player at #HBZU17 @Sport_360
— Matt Monaghan (@mattmonaghan360) March 31, 2015
“Also, it is a big opportunity for them to play against a team from Europe and compare themselves.
“These guys are important. I have seen some players for the future of Al Ain. I know Al Ain work very well in this area. It is nice for everyone, especially for young players.
“Zagreb are the biggest club from my country. I know they have big potential and it is good experience for them to play in a new region and see how the football is here.”
Before tiring like his team-mates after the break, Eid’s mixture of sharp skills, imposing size and testing pace caused Dinamo huge problems.
The Zagreb academy has produced world-renowned stars such as Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and AC Milan legend Zvonimir Boban.
This pedigree finally told after the interval, Niksic’s decider a moment to treasure as it floated into the top corner late on.
