Al Ain’s move to extend the coach’s contract enhances the team’s stability

Football analyst and former international player, Sabet Khater, considered Al Ain Club’s move to extend the contract of its Serbian coach, Vladimir Ivic, a positive step that enhances the technical stability that appeared in the first football team this season, and increases harmony between the players and the technical staff in the next season.

Subit Khater told Emirates Al-Youm that Vladimir Ivic’s continuation gives the team additional confidence and enhances the cohesion of the group, especially in light of the presence of young and experienced elements, which helps create balance within the team.

He added: “Teamwork was evident in Al Ain’s performance throughout the season, and this is what helped it achieve positive results in all the tournaments it participated in this year.”

Khater spoke about the strong confrontation that brought together Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahly recently in the 22nd round of the Professional League, and ended with Al Ain winning 3-2, stressing that the match came at a high level of competition and excitement, and that it was one of the most prominent and strongest matches of the current season of the Professional League, whether in terms of technical performance, physical presence, or even in terms of the rivalry between the two teams throughout the minutes of the match.

He continued: “The Al-Ain and Shabab Al-Ahly summit reflected the true value of the league this season, as the two teams entered the match with a high spirit and great focus, which made the rhythm fast from the first minutes, with clear attempts by both sides to impose control over the course of the game. Each team tried to implement its tactical ideas without great reservation, which gave the match an enjoyable offensive character.”

He added: “The first half was largely equal, with the two teams exchanging control and opportunities, while the tone of the match clearly increased in the second half, as physical strength and high pressure appeared, which led to an increase in the number of opportunities and goals, and this type of match reflects the extent of the development of the level of competition in the UAE League.”

He continued: “The physical performance was a decisive element in the match, as the players appeared tired in some periods, but the fighting spirit greatly compensated for this, and made the match continue with the same intensity until the final whistle, but the emphasis remains that the commitment and discipline the players presented on the field reflects the importance of the confrontation for the two teams in the race to compete for the title.”

Khater touched on the technical aspects, stressing that some of the offensive elements and playmakers were not at their best levels in terms of effectiveness, despite continuous attempts to make a difference.

He said: “Players like Kartabia and Kaku did not appear as expected in some periods of the match, but that did not prevent the two teams from presenting a strong and open match.”

On the other hand, the international player praised some of the names that emerged during the match, stressing that there were players who gave outstanding performances and contributed to raising the level of the match, whether through movements, pressure, or creating opportunities, and this diversity in performance among the players was one of the reasons for the strength and excitement of the summit until the final moments.

He continued: “The Al Ain team succeeded in deciding the match in its favor with a score of 3-2 thanks to its good exploitation of opportunities, in addition to its strong personality on the field, especially in the decisive moments. Victory in such matches does not depend only on technical performance, but also on mental focus and the ability to deal with pressure, which was clearly demonstrated by Al Ain players.”

He continued: “Shabab Al-Ahly played a great match despite the loss, and appeared in a strong competitive manner, and were close to returning on more than one occasion, but small details decided the confrontation in Al Ain’s favor, and such matches are often decided by simple details, such as exploiting opportunities or individual mistakes.”

He added: “This match may be one of the best matches of the season in terms of quality and excitement, and may be a candidate to be one of the most prominent matches in the league in recent years, given the fluctuations in the result and mutual attacking performance between the two teams.”

Regarding his expectations for the struggle between Al-Ain and Shabab Al-Ahly in the remaining matches of this season, he said: “The competition for the league title is still open, and the decision will not be easy in light of the close levels between the major teams. I expect the last meters of the season to be more difficult, and the team that possesses the mental and physical stability will be closest to clinching the title in the end, despite the four-point difference that separates Al-Ain from Shabab Al-Ahly.”

. Speight confirmed that the competition for the league title is still open, and that the decision will not be easy in light of the close levels.