Superstar playmaker Omar Abdulrahman is convinced a summer of change does not mean Al Ain will relinquish their Arabian Gulf League crown.
The Boss were the class of the field in 2014/15, easing to a nine-point winning margin over second-placed Al Jazira. But the squad which soared to a third top-flight title in four years has been transformed during pre-season.
Leading striker Asamoah Gyan has been sold for a record €20 million (Dh81m) to Shanghai SIPG, while forward Jires Kembo Ekoko is unwanted and winger Miroslav Stoch has returned to parent club Fenerbahce. Nigeria centre forward Emmanuel Emenike, Netherlands attacker Ryan Babel and Brazilian centre midfielder Fellipe Bastos have filled the vacant spots in the four-player foreign quota.
Results have been unconvincing in pre-season, having failed to win their first four friendlies, before requiring penalties to beat Wydad Casablanca in Saturday’s inaugural UAE-Morocco Super Cup.
But speaking at the launch of the new home and away kits at Nike’s flagship Yas Mall store Monday, ‘Amoory’ was sure the new signings would maintain the Boss’ high standards.
“This season is different, we have new foreign players and I believe this season is going to be very tough,” the 23-year-old said. “But I believe we have prepared well.
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“The players we have recruited to replace Asamoah Gyan will contribute towards the success of the team. People used to talk about Omar Abdulrahman and Asamoah Gyan, we had a great partnership.
“Now, I hope to see better understanding between all 11 players.”
Zlatko Dalic’s men seem set to kick off the 2015/16 action on Saturday for the Arabian Gulf Super Cup against President’s Cup holders Al Nasr and UAE spark Abdulrahman has urged his team-mates to use the game to set a benchmark ahead of the new campaign. “Winning is a habit, so it is important we start the season by winning the Super Cup and early rounds of the league. This will give us momentum,” he said.
An impressive summer of business across the AGL has seen Al Ain’s rivals strengthen significantly, Al Ahli’s recruitment of Benfica striker Lima and Al Wahda’s swoop for Palmeiras playmaker Jorge Valdivia two high-profile examples.
“The clubs have been signing players from around the world, but it all depends on how hard they work and cope with the new surroundings,” said Mohamed Abdulrahman, the brother of Omar and a fellow regular for both the UAE and Al Ain.
“The key is to start strongly.”
