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Al Ain Club ready for the new season

Al Ain FC coach Abdul Hameed Al Mistake said that his team was well prepared to mount a challenge for the UAE Pro-League title this season.

Nine-time winners Al Ain FC finished third last season, behind winners Al Wahda and Al Jazira.

He said that the pre-season training camp in Austria served its purpose as it helped iron out chinks in their armoury.

“The confidence of Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, First Deputy President of the club, First Deputy President of the Honorary Board and Chairman of Al Ain Board of Directors on me to take the responsibility of the Al Ain first team is a great responsibility and it will inspire me to guide the team to the title,” Abdul Hameed Al Mistake said on Sunday.

Regarding the third foreign player, Abdul Hameed Al Mistake said that negotiations had reached an advanced stage and they would unveil the player during the international friendly tournament.

Al Ain have had to look for a new foreign signing following the departure of inspirational playmaker Jorge Valdivia. Valdivia returned to his former club Palmeiras in Brazil.

“I submitted my report about the third foreign player to the club management and the negotiation have reached an advanced stage to bring him during the friendly tournament in Ramadan,” Al Mistake said.

Meanwhile, the Al Ain International Friendly Football Championship got underway at the Tahnoun Bin Mohamed Stadium, Al Qattara, on Sunday.

The tournament is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, First Deputy President of the club, First Deputy President of the Honorary Board and Chairman of Al Ain Board of Directors.

The tournament runs till August 21. Four teams hosts Al Ain FC, Riffa of Bahrain, Ittihad of Syria and Al Shabab of Oman are taking part in the tournament.

Al Ain FC are the defending champions of the tournament after winning their matches against Riffa of Bahrain 3-2, Al Qadisia of Kuwait 2-1 and Al Shabab of Oman 2-0.

Abu Dhabi Sports Channel will show all the matches live.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Yousif Abdul Rahman as well as midfielder Omer Abdul Rahman linked up with the squad during their training 
session.

james@khaleejtimes.com