Monday, Aug 12, 2013
Dubai: Al Ain team manager Matar Al Sahbani has said Jorge Fossati is one of the best coaches the club has ever had, quelling fans’ fears after the defection of Cosmin Olaroiu to Al Ahli.
Fossati, who won the 2011 Asian Champions League with Qatar’s Al Sadd, replaced back-to-back league title-winning coach Olaroiu last month and is now on a preseason camp with the squad in Austria.
However, the belief that Al Ain will struggle after Olaroiu’s exit is unfounded according to Al Sahbani, who points to Fossati’s ability to go further in continental football than his predecessor.
Al Sahbani said: “Fossati is one of the best coaches at reading matches and it’s hard to beat him tactically. He is one of the most excellent coaches to have come to Al Ain and we have seen how serious he is during training.
“He is aware of the club’s ambitions because the team is eager to win more titles this season. Each coach looks for titles and Fossati is used to doing this both domestically and continentally; he knows how to face all circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Bani Yas’ new Argentinian attacking midfielder Luis Farina, 22, who signed on loan from Benfica at the weekend, has spoken of desire to win the title with the Abu Dhabi club.
Farina, who replaces outgoing Swedish winger Christian Wilhelmsson, 33, said: “I’m really happy to be here. The club showed they really wanted me here and that’s very important for a player.
“The decision to come here is mine and my goal is to win the championship. It’s a new challenge for me and I want to win the championship here before I return to Benfica.
“The club has big ambitions. They want to be competitive in Asia and win domestic championships. They have a lot of plans for the new season. So I hope I can play my part in meeting the club’s targets.”
Farina joins Senegalese striker Andre Senghor, Oman defender Abdul Salam Al Mukhaini and Chilean striker Carlos Munoz in completing Bani Yas’ foreign quartet.
By Ashley Hammond Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
