Zoran Mamic says Al Ain ‘can improve all aspects of our football’ after disappointing ACL opener

Zoran Mamic issues instructions to his Al Ain players in the Asian Champions League match against Iran's Zobahan at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on February 21, 2017. Nezar Balout / AFP

Al Ain recorded a disappointing result on their return to continental competition on Tuesday, when they were held 1-1 in their Group C opener against Iran’s Zobahan.

Back to the drawing board

Al Ain, making their first Champions League appearance since losing the 2016 final in November, were the far superior side at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, but they wasted several goalscoring opportunities before Zobahan went 1-0 up in the second half. It took a 76th-minute goal from defender Ismail Ahmed to rescue a point. Al Ain next face Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

Mamic makes his bow

Zoran Mamic was in the dugout for Al Ain for the first time in Asia, after the Croat succeeded compatriot Zlatko Dalic last month. Mamic opted to play midfielder Ibrahim Diaky at the tip of his attack, with January loan signing Nasser Al Shamrami on the bench. When asked where his team can do better, Mamic said: “We must be more concentrated, more confident, show more willingness, more training. We need to improve all aspects of football.”

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Fitness issues

“I’m sure the team is not on the top level at the moment, probably because of lots of matches they had in the past with the Champions League final and the games they missed in the [Arabian Gulf] league because of the Champions League,” Mamic said. “This is a very important point. There will be more concentration ahead to make things better.”

Lessons learnt

“Every day I learn lots of things not only in football but in Al Ain,” Mamic said. “I saw that this team has lots of quality because the first half was the best half we’ve played in the four games since I’ve been here. I see lots of potential in the team. Of course, though, we can improve all aspects of our football.”

Missing players

Al Ain have several injury concerns, including Amer Abdulrahman and Danilo Asprilla. Mamic said: “I have to wait for some very important players to come back. For example, I didn’t have one midfielder on the bench, only a few defenders and strikers. It’s difficult, but I have to live with this until the end of the season, to fight and I’m sure the team will improve their quality and this season we will finish in a good way.”

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