ABU DHABI // Cosmin Olaroiu, the Al Ahli coach, was a proud man on Saturday after his club all but swept the Arabian Gulf League awards, winning five of the eight trophies, with six players named in the league’s best-XI team.
“It is the appreciation of the work that they did this season. They have worked hard, and when you work, the results will come,” he said.
Likewise, Olaroiu was named the Coach of the Year on Saturday in a league honours ceremony at Abu Dhabi’s St Regis Hotel.
Ahli have already won the Arabian Gulf League and Arabian Gulf Cup and can add the President’s Cup to the trophy cabinet when they take on Al Ain on Sunday night.
Read more: Al Ahli just 90 minutes away from the UAE’s first treble
“From the first day when I arrived here at Ahli, I was talking to them about this,” Olaroiu said. “Now I’m glad that what I said at that time has become a reality. I feel proud of them.”
Olaroiu played down his own importance and said the trophy he received belonged to the team and his support staff.
“I want to congratulate and thank my players because without them, we couldn’t have won,” he said. “I also want to thank the management for giving me the opportunity to work with this club.”
Olaroiu became the first coach to win the league title three times in a row, having led Al Ain to successive titles in 2012 and 2013.
He can also become the first coach to win all the domestic titles in one season if Ahli win the President’s Cup.
“It is the most important trophy for us,” he said. “Now, it is the only one that remains, and that we have to take, because it is the most important. We have to concentrate and focus on this.”
UAE international Ismail Al Hammadi and the Brazilian forward Grafite, both of Ahli, won the Emirati and Foreign top-player awards, respectively.
Grafite, who played an influential role for his team, took the title for the second successive season, edging Asamoah Gyan of Al Ain and Al Wahda’s Sebastian Tagliabue. “What we have done this season is really special. We have a quality side and I’m very happy to be here,” Grafite said.
“I would like to thank my teammates, my coach and the coaching staff because without them, I wouldn’t have been able to win this. My name is on it, but this trophy is for everybody for helping me every day at the club.
“I remember my first year here three years ago and some journalist asked me if I had really come here to play football or to enjoy life?
“I answered I don’t know what you think about enjoying life, but I have come here to play football and prove to everybody that I have come here for that reason. This will prove it.”
Having won the President’s Cup last year, and both the league and Arabian Gulf Cup this season, the former Wolfsburg forward is hoping to win another medal tonight against Al Ain.
“I hope we can win a fourth title because we have had a very good season,” he said.
“We still have this game. We respect Al Ain. We know about the quality that they have. But we will play to win the President’s Cup. It will be a great game, a good game to watch, to enjoy and to play.
“I think everybody is waiting for this game and I hope it will be a good game. I hope my team can put on a good show and win the Cup.”
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development, presented the awards.
apassela@thenational.ae
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