Football: Al Ain in 'difficult situation' as seven players set for UAE duty

Abu Dhabi - Al Ain's seven national players will join the Whites preparing for their September 1 clash against Japan

Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic finds himself in a helpless position. Hours after a tough AFC Champions League match against Lokomotiv on Tuesday night, seven of his top players are flying on Wednesday to join the national team in China.
"This is a very difficult situation for us," the Croatian said during a Press conference at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
The national team is training in Shanghai for the third round of the World Cup 2018 qualifiers. Al Ain's seven national players will join the Whites preparing for their September 1 clash against Japan. Then they rush back for September 6 match against Australia. This will be followed by return leg to play Lokomotiv in Tashkent on September 13.
"I don't want to cry or find excuses. I have got responsibility but there's nothing much I can do. Let my team stay with me for one month and then I can guarantee three goals tonight," he said referring to the goalless draw. Dalic had custody of his full team for only 10 days as seven national players were with the national team for their July-August preparatory camp in Spain. "This is not a good time for us," he said.
However, Dalic is 'happy' with the way the team played against Lokomotiv.
"We kept control of the game. We had lot of opportunities to score but sometimes you miss as you are unlucky."
According to him a goalless draw was a 'good' result for the team. "Now we have to win the next match. Usually we play better in away matches."
On Colombian Danilo Asprilla missing out on easy chances, he said: "He sometimes scores and misses some. He missed at a crucial moment today. It's not easy for him to score with the way he sprints from the centre to the goal. If he doesn't score then the effort is all zero."
The coach was happy with the way new signings - Caio Fernandes and Amer Abdulrahman - played.
"They played well but I can't expect fantastic results from them as we had just 10 days to prepare as a team."
He added that the result is open and the 'Boss' have the 'chance for everything when we play them again'.
Meanwhile, Lokomotiv coach Andrey Miklyaev said it was a 'difficult' game because of the hot weather.
"Al Ain were technically better but none of them scored. We are sure the return leg will be better for us."
Miklyaev is aware that Al Ain play well in away matches. "We will see how they play there (in Tashkent)."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com