Goalkeeper Khalid Essa is not wallowing in Al Ain’s first-round elimination from the Arab Club Champions Cup and has immediately set his sights on claiming the Arabian Gulf Super Cup.
The Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup double winners went out on away goals to Algerian champions ES Setif, despite Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Zagreb’s Stadion Maksimir earning a 2-2 aggregate scoreline.
This was a competition regularly stated as being low on the Boss’ list of priorities. UAE No1 Essa is confident of a better result when they battle top-flight runners-up Al Wahda on August 25 at Cairo’s 30,000-capacity Al Salam Stadium.
“The team camps in Slovenia and Croatia has absolutely been successful under the leadership of coach Zoran Mamic,” the 28-year-old said. “The Arabian Gulf Super Cup is one of the goals for the new season.
“The team has not competed in it during the two seasons. I expect a strong and exciting match to win the Super Cup title between the two teams.”
Essa is one of six players – out-of-contract superstar Omar Abdulrahman has already travelled – who will join up with club-mates Mohamed Ahmed, Mohanad Salem and Ahmed Barman in the UAE’s training camp in Salzburg. This is scheduled to run until August 18, plus feature a number of friendlies – including a clash with Andorra.
“I think the development of the team is very reassuring,” said Mamic. “I am very happy that 90 per cent of the Al Ain players played full games during this short preparation period.
“I hope that the players will keep working hard with the international squad until everyone reaches the required level before the Super Cup, as they will re-join us only a few days before the match in Egypt.”
In the same competition, Al Jazira and Al Wasl will both meet Saudi Arabian opposition. The former battle Al Nassr on August 13 and September 29, with the latter drawn against Al Ittihad on August 24 and September 30.
مباراة فريق وفاق سطيف والعين ضمن إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس العرب للأندية الأبطال https://t.co/lZU0EsAAMd #نادي_العين pic.twitter.com/esXFp3lbip
— Al Ain FC (@alainfcae) August 4, 2018
