Mohamed Al Shehhi back in from the cold at Al Wahda and determined to earn a new deal

Matt Jones - Editor 07:30 30/10/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Mohamed Al Shehhi (3rd l) celebrates a goal with teammates against Al Nasr

    Mohamed Al Shehhi has a second chance with boyhood club Al Wahda and the Emirati wideman is determined to take it with both hands after enjoying a flying start to the 2017/18 season.

    The 29-year-old has spent over a decade at the capital city club but had fallen out of favour under previous coach Javier Aguirre – failing to make any appearances last term and only a handful in former Atletico Madrid supremo Aguirre’s maiden campaign in 2015/16.

    After spending time on loan in the wilderness of the Western Region at Al Dhafra last season, Al Shehhi has featured prominently in new coach Laurentiu Reghecampf’s reign at Al Nahyan Stadium, scoring two goals in six Arabian Gulf League appearances and notching once in two Arabian Gulf Cup games.

    And now that he has forced his way back into the first-team picture, UAE international Al Shehhi is determined to stay there.

    “It’s been difficult,” admitted the winger of his Wahda exile.

    “After 16 months I didn’t play but now I come back. I want to say thank you to the coach, he’s helped me so much. I worked hard in the pre-season camp and I think I deserve to play, and I will do a good job. We have great players and we are ready to play.”

    Al Shehhi is in the final year of his Clarets contract, but wants to stay at the club he has spent his entire career at.

    “I will try my maximum and I hope to stay for a few more years in Al Wahda,” he said.

    “I am in my last year of my contract but I hope to stay with Al Wahda for a long time and I hope to achieve something for our fans this season.”

    Part of Al Shehhi’s lack of opportunities under Aguirre’s regime was down to a stint with the Army, but the veteran also revealed the ex-Japan and Mexico manager had asked him to adapt to a central midfield role, which he felt unable to do.

    “I have maybe a small problem with the last coach,” Al Shehhi said of Aguirre – who led Wahda to the 2015/16 AG Cup and signed off with a President’s Cup triumph in May.

    “He wanted me to play in the number six position. I cannot play in the centre. I tried but I was not very good. I also went to the Army and I think I went there at a good time, as I was not playing. But then I finished in the Army and I am happy to be back.”

    Al Shehhi is enjoying his new lease of life and feels confident that the Clarets can shed their tag of perennial nearly men and challenge for the AGL title this season.

    They are third under Reghecampf’s stewardship, just a point of joint leaders Al Ain and Al Wasl, and host the Boss in a mouthwatering top of the table Al Clasico clash on Saturday.

    And if victory can be obtained in front of their home fans, Al Shehhi believes it will prove they can compete for a first title in eight seasons.

    “The last few years we were in the middle of the table but now we fight to be champions,” said Al Shehhi following a 0-0 draw with fellow challenges Shabab Al Ahli Dubai on Friday.

    “We are happy, we work hard, we are a family and the coach works with us very well, and all the players are happy with him. If we win the next game I think we have a big chance to make something this season.

    “I think we played a good game (against Shabab Al Ahli). We maybe had a problem in the first half but second half the coach gave us another solution to play.

    “We changed the line-up, (Balazsz) Dzsudzsak came in and we played well. The most important thing when playing away is not to lose. I think we deserved to win but it’s not bad to draw at Shabab Al Ahli.”

    Recommended