Club of the Week: Rossoneri Dubai FC

Jay Asser 00:09 26/05/2016
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  • Just like Milan: Rossoneri Dubai FC take inspiration from the Italian giants.

    Salhieh couldn’t join his favourite club, A.C. Milan, so instead he did the next best thing and formed a squad based on his love for the Italian outfit: Rossoneri Dubai FC.

    The amateur football club, consisting of a men’s and ladies team, don the same colours as the Serie A supremos and have Salhieh at the helm as coach.

    But of all the professional clubs to cheer for, why did Salhieh choose Milan?

    “When I was six or seven years old in 1988, I saw Marco van Basten win the Euro Cup (with Netherlands). When he won the cup, I started with A.C. Milan and he was my icon in football,” Salheih said.

    Van Basten, of course, is regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever and helped Milan to three Serie A titles and two European Cups during his career.

    Despite his best efforts to playing like Van Basten, Salhieh went as far as Jordan’s 2nd Division before suffering a serious knee injury 10 years ago which forced him to retire.

    “The doctor told me if I want to continue in football I have to be a fan or coach,” Salhieh said.

    “Of course I prefer to be a coach, which is why I kept learning and got my license.”

    Factfile

    • What: Rossoneri Dubai FC
    • Founded: Men’s team started May 2015 and ladies team began November 2015
    • Contact & info: Visit www.facebook.com/RossoneriTeamDXB

    He also got a degree in football management from the Johan Cruyff Institute and is now applying that knowledge to guide Rossoneri Dubai, which he started with the men’s side in May 2015, before also creating a ladies squad later in the year in November.

    “The idea was to establish a ladies team because I feel here in the UAE, there are many women players who like to play football and are very good at football,” Salhieh said. “I was surprised by this.”

    While some of the players in the club share Salhieh’s fandom of Milan, there are plenty who just enjoy playing football without the allegiance.

    According to Salhieh, Rossoneri Dubai have a range of nationalities, with players hailing from Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, England, Somalia, Yemen, New Zealand and the UAE.

    As the diversity suggests, Rossoneri Dubai are always on the lookout for more talent, whether it’s local players living in the UAE or those migrating from other countries.

    If you’re interested in joining, head to the club’s training sessions, which take place Sunday and Tuesday from 20:00 to 21:30 at JSS Private School for men, and at the same time on Saturday and Monday at Emirates English Speak School for ladies.

    The teams play in various leagues in the emirate, from Duplays to E-Sports and other one-off tournaments.

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