Athletes agree that the boldness of the youngsters in the first round of the Arabian Gulf League is an indication of the strength of the competition this season.
They stressed that the managerial mindset of these clubs has changed for the better, and there is now a professional thought in which Emirati football is run.
The athletes, for Emirates Today, promised five reasons that developed the level of small teams and improved their level, primarily the administrative mentality, the high level of foreigners, and benefit from the decision to rely on residents and citizens of citizens, and change the mentality of players and create a culture of winning them, and good preparation during the preparation period.
The first round of the Arabian Gulf League saw Al Ain narrowly win in stoppage time against Al Ittihad Kalba 3-2, Fujairah on Al Wahda 1-0, Bani Yas and Ajman tied 2-2, Al Nasr and Al Wasl tied 0-0 and Al Jazira beat Al Dhafra 2-0. , Sharjah on Khorfakkan 2 - zero, and youth Ahli on Hatta 3 - zero.
Dr. Ahmed Al Awadhi, a board member and former supervisor of the football team, said the boldness of the small teams over Al Kabira in the first round of the Arabian Gulf League is a strong indication that we will witness an exceptional competition this season.
He added: «What we have seen the levels of some of the teams that we call small metaphorically, due to the professional mentality that dealt with the management of those clubs with the preparation of their teams, which has changed significantly from what it was before, and this is shown through the deals concluded by which met the technical needs, Both professional and foreign players, this shows that professionalism has borne fruit in the UAE football in general ».
He added: “As a complement to the positive management observations that were clarified in the first round of the Arabian Gulf League, Bani Yas team is now relying on elements of young players, as the heavenly squad is considered the least age and this confirms that the management is working positively for the future»
`` The only surprising thing for me is what is happening in the big clubs of contracts with players who do not meet the aspirations of the fans, for example Al Ain Club, which needed professional players of another level matched with the level of the AFC Champions League, which became the ambition of every Emirati fan, "The league title, in my view, is not Al Ain's first goal."
Al-Awadhi added: "It is also noteworthy without naming that there are coaches in the big clubs that have not yet recognized the abilities of their players, and this was evident in their formation in the first round, which is an indication that their work in the preparation period was not at the required level."
“Club administrations that want to work properly should invest the president's decision regarding births, residents and children of citizens properly, and look for young talents to be a good investment for the club at the material level and to serve the national teams, but what we are currently seeing on the scene,” he said. "It is a contract for Dam Khana, and the consequences will be a waste of money and wasting real opportunities for players to emerge in local competitions."
For his part, former international player, Fahad Abdulrahman, that the good use of money creates strong competition, and develops the level of teams significantly.
He pointed out: «Club departments have become more professional than before, and this was evident through the deals made by both national and foreign players, especially professional players who made the difference in the first round, we have seen how embarrassed Al Kalba Al Ain at home Khorfakkan, who are promoted to the Arabian Gulf League this season, defeated champions Sharjah.
He continued: «These high-level games confirm that there is a professional work done by these clubs to convince everyone of their abilities since the first round, and also attracted me change the mentality of players and coaches such kind of teams were when receiving a goal against the big teams back down for fear of losing them "But now the situation has changed and it has ambition and boldness."
Fahad Abdul Rahman explained: «Today the mentality has changed for the better, and these teams have the culture to have a positive reaction to compensate and prove their presence in the games».
He added: «Now after 11 years of professionalism can be said that we no longer have a small team and another large, and we will not see the season of the matches with the results before they start as before, and the big clubs to bear in mind that they will not win in any "Easily match at all."
For his part, the player of Al-Ahli and Hatta youth club, Isa Obaid, that the glow of small teams in the first round of the Arab Gulf League will not only have a positive indicator in the league, but will extend to the President's Cup and the Arabian Gulf Cup as well.
Obaid said: «When the club departments work in a scientific and sound planning, the results are positive, and this is evident during the current season and differently than before, it is clear that the departments worked well before the beginning of the season, whether through contracts with foreigners and coaches or the selection of foreign camps "Precisely, this is reflected in the first round, and will also be reflected in the rest of the rounds, the proper preparation of any team starts from the administrative work."
He added: “What clearly attracted attention was the high level of physical fitness that all teams had, despite the high temperatures and humidity, which confirms what I said earlier that the preparation period was done properly, as the planner awareness also showed the second level teams, which is What surprised adults in the first round ».
“Round after round, when small teams gain confidence, their ambition will vary,” he said. “It will shift from a mere desire to stay to the top of the league table and compete in the tournaments in the knockout system.
The reasons for the development of small teams
1- Professionalism of management.
2. High level of foreigners.
3 - benefit from the decision of residents.
4 - change the mindset of players and create a culture of winning them.
5. Good preparation during the preparation period.
Results of the first round
Al Ain 3 - 2 Kalba Union.
Sharjah 2 - 0 Khorfakkan.
Hatta 0 - 3 Youth Ahli.
Fujairah.
Baniyas 2 - 2 Ajman.
Victory 0 - 0 Al Wasl.
Al Jazeera 2 - 0 Al Dhafra.