Al Kamali says Al Wahda boss helped improve his game at all levels

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  • Hamdan Al Kamali feels Javier Aguirre is perfect as Wahda coach.

    UAE defender Hamdan Al Kamali has credited Al Wahda boss Javier Aguirre for turning around his fortunes for club and country.

    Al Kamali, 27, cast aside the fitness problems of 2014/15 during the Mexican’s debut season in charge.

    He played 27 times in all competitions as his side finished third to qualify for the 2017 AFC Champions League play-offs and ended a six-year drought without a major trophy thanks to victory in the Arabian Gulf Cup.

    This upturn saw the ex-UAE captain handed a return to the international fold for the King’s Cup in Thailand earlier this month, shortly after inking a long-term extension to his Clarets deal.

    “I’m very happy to have signed a new contract with the club for five more years,” said Al Kamali.

    “In this season, we have had a very good coach.

    “All the people know about Aguirre and he helped me to be a very good player and helped me in training.

    “This season I was injured only once. [The coaching staff] have a good relation with the coach of the national team and so they talked to him about me.

    “Aguirre is a very important coach. He’s the best coach for Wahda at this moment.

    “Inshallah, in the next year I’ll do my best to be in the AFC Champions League once again and I’ll try my best regarding the Arabian Gulf League and the President’s Cup.”

    Ex-Lyon loanee Al Kamali is a maturing figure in Emirates football, sharing a dressing room domestically and internationally with prodigies such as Mohamed Al Akbari and Khalid Bawazir.

    He said: “At Al Wahda I’m with all the young players, then when I come to the national team it is all younger players.

    “Inshallah, I will help the players and also the club to be at the top.”

    Meanwhile, Al Ain’s pursuit of Caio is set to be complicated further after the wide man professed his commitment to Kashima Antlers Wednesday.

    Caio, 22, has emerged as the Boss’ main target as they seek a new left winger. A ¤3 million (Dh 12.4m) bid has already been rejected for him, with a pair of unnamed clubs from the Qatar Stars League offering greater sums.

    The Brazilian – who has scored 12 goals in 44 J1 League matches – appeared to make this chase even more difficult as he batted aside thoughts of making a move.

    He said: “I do not think about any other club. There is only Kashima in my head. I want to play still for Kashima.”

    Meanwhile, reports in England have stated Al Jazira are battling Marseille to land defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote.

    Tiote, 29, has been made available for £2.5m (Dh13m) by Newcastle United since their relegation to the Championship, according to the Daily Mail.

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