JEONJU // Zlatko Dalic strode into the news conference at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, arguably the most important of his career, certainly that of his past two and a half years with Al Ain, and immediately appeared perfectly at ease with the commotion around him.
You would not have known it, bar the bunting behind and the trophy still just out of reach to his left, but the Croatian is preparing to lead Al Ain into a hugely significant battle on Saturday.
It is in Jeonju, this grey and gritty city to the south of Seoul, that the UAE’s only continental champions begin their attempt to emulate their much-vaunted predecessors of 2003 and again aim to capture the Asian Champions League, against a Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors side apparently intent on avenging their 2011 final defeat.
Dalic, though, simply smiled for the cameras, casually answered whatever query posed, and then without fuss posed alongside counterpart Choi Kang-hee for the flash of the bulbs from those photographers in attendance. It smacked of a man convinced his team are on the verge of something extraordinary.
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“Play without any pressure, enjoy the football, do their best,” was Dalic’s message, publicly at least, to his players.
To be fair, the Al Ain manager did seem completely unburdened by what awaited the following day, as his charges take on an obviously dangerous Jeonbuk team unbeaten in 11 matches at home in Asia, in the first leg of the Garden City club’s most meaningful test in 11 years.
It has been that long since Al Ain last contested a Champions League final. Two more years since they won the title and ascended to the summit of Asian club football. This is the trophy they crave above all else, the elusive piece of hardware they have chased with increasing torment since 2003.
Dalic knows that – of course he does – but he chose on Friday to exude a blatantly calm exterior, maybe little more than a front, perhaps masking how he fully comprehends the magnitude of the match, and of the return leg in Al Ain seven days on. Yet it felt genuine, even if he called on his players to “make history”.
His confidence is somewhat justified. Yes, Jeonbuk are a “strong, strong team”, as Dalic referenced, but in Omar Abdulrahman Al Ain possess the favourite for next month’s Asian player of the year award, while they too are building a proud unbeaten record: in their past five away matches in this year’s competition, Al Ain have three victories and two draws.
Little wonder Dalic looked so assured. In reality, though, he will realise Al Ain must not be cowed by the occasion on Saturday, not by their fans’ expectation, not by the 13-year wait to return to Asian football’s apex. As a place in the final grew ever closer in last month’s semi-final second leg against El Jaish, the Emirati side grew visibly ever more nervous, shaken by the Qataris’ fightback and eventually reliant on their goalkeeper, their backline and the space their rivals left on the counter.
That much is understandable, for Al Ain were moving to within touching distance of etching their names into UAE football history. The stakes only increase against Jeonbuk, so too the potential for the legs to tense up and the mind to tighten. Like Dalic said, “these seven days are the most important games in some of the players’ careers”.
So Al Ain need to play the match on Saturday, not what it symbolises. As difficult as it may be, forget the bigger picture, focus solely on the initial encounter with Jeonbuk. Return with a positive result, and next week’s second leg then promises much. Emulating 2003, and all that comes with it, can wait just a little longer.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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