Matar hoping to finish career with final shot at ACL glory

Matt Jones - Editor 04:18 02/05/2016
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  • Ismail Matar’s storied career is gradually drawing to a close but the Emirati footballing icon wants one more crack at the AFC Champions League with his beloved Al Wahda.

    The veteran striker was part of the last Clarets side to feature in the competition in 2011 and he also played a key part in their run to the 2007 semi-finals, where they exited at the hands of Iran’s Sepahan.

    Wahda are on the cusp of a return to Asia’s premier club competition for the first time in six years, requiring a win on the final day of the AGL season at home to Bani Yas to mix it once again with the continent’s elite next season.

    “We need to be in the Champions League again and this is our opportunity,” said the 33-year-old frontman. “It is our chance, it is in our hands and we have to fight in the last game. We have confidence playing on our field because during the second half of the league, we did not lose, we only drew once. So we have a good advantage.”

    Matar, then aged 24, scored the crucial goal in a 1-1 draw away at Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal in the second leg in Riyadh in September 2007 that sent the Clarets through to the last four. And the man, who apart from a short loan spell at Qatar’s Al Sadd in 2009 has spent his entire 15-year career with Wahda, admits it would be nice to return to the competition in the twilight of his career.

    “It (the 2007 1-1 draw) was a good result for us. We played in the semifinal,” recalled the 112-times capped UAE international. “It’s been a few years and it would be nice to go back there. People remind you of it even after a long time and I hope we can make it again.

    “We have a good chance. We hope we have our chance in the last game (against Bani Yas). It is in our hands to finish third.”

    Matar’s head coach, Javier Aguirre, insists his side are in the driving seat ahead of the AGL’s final round of fixtures on Sunday.

    “We are a point ahead. It’s in our hands, or legs, but it’s very important to get the three points against Bani Yas at home,” said the Mexican. “It’s like the whole season in one game so we have to play better (than against Sharjah which they drew 1-1) of course.

    “We have to relax, because there is no pressure. We are not fighting to avoid relegation so in my opinion we have to play better at home against Bani Yas. They are playing for nothing, but for us, it’s the whole season. We want to be third and we are still in the ascendancy.”

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