• Khalid Essa. The Emirati has emerged as a leading candidate for the player of the tournament award at the Club World Cup. The goalkeeper made excellent saves in the penalty shootouts against Team Wellington and River Plate for his team to reach a historic final against Real Madrid. EPA
    Khalid Essa. The Emirati has emerged as a leading candidate for the player of the tournament award at the Club World Cup. The goalkeeper made excellent saves in the penalty shootouts against Team Wellington and River Plate for his team to reach a historic final against Real Madrid. EPA
  • Ismail Ahmed. The captain and centre-back has been a club stalwart since his move to Al Ain in 2008. He is not only solid in defence but very effective in attack on set pieces where he has made significant contributions in the past. EPA
    Ismail Ahmed. The captain and centre-back has been a club stalwart since his move to Al Ain in 2008. He is not only solid in defence but very effective in attack on set pieces where he has made significant contributions in the past. EPA
  • Tsukasa Shiotani. Played a key role for Al Ain to complete the Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup double for the first time ever after arriving at the club in the summer of 2017. He scored the opening goal for Al Ain in the Club World Cup against Team Wellington and has been a solid influence on the pitch overall. AFP
    Tsukasa Shiotani. Played a key role for Al Ain to complete the Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup double for the first time ever after arriving at the club in the summer of 2017. He scored the opening goal for Al Ain in the Club World Cup against Team Wellington and has been a solid influence on the pitch overall. AFP
  • Mohammed Fayez. Zoran Mamic has shown faith in the right-back by playing him in the Club World Cup. Fayez has a history of injuries and underwent three surgeries to his knee. However, he returned from these setbacks to help solidify the last line of defence. Reuters
    Mohammed Fayez. Zoran Mamic has shown faith in the right-back by playing him in the Club World Cup. Fayez has a history of injuries and underwent three surgeries to his knee. However, he returned from these setbacks to help solidify the last line of defence. Reuters
  • Mohammed Ahmed. He created a piece of history by scoring the fastest ever goal in a Fifa Club World Cup match last Saturday. The left-back headed a corner to put his team in front on 79 seconds enroute to their 3-0 win over Esperance de Tunis in the semi-finals. AFP
    Mohammed Ahmed. He created a piece of history by scoring the fastest ever goal in a Fifa Club World Cup match last Saturday. The left-back headed a corner to put his team in front on 79 seconds enroute to their 3-0 win over Esperance de Tunis in the semi-finals. AFP
  • Ahmed Barman. A well-rounded player and workhorse who moves up and down the pitch in support of his teammates. He acts as an asset offensively and defensively and has so far played a huge role for his team in their run at the tournament. AP Photo
    Ahmed Barman. A well-rounded player and workhorse who moves up and down the pitch in support of his teammates. He acts as an asset offensively and defensively and has so far played a huge role for his team in their run at the tournament. AP Photo
  • Tongo Doumbia. The tall Mali international joined Al Ain in October after a one-year spell at the Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. Has proved a strong force in the centre of the park and Mamic will need another big effort from him against Real. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tongo Doumbia. The tall Mali international joined Al Ain in October after a one-year spell at the Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. Has proved a strong force in the centre of the park and Mamic will need another big effort from him against Real. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Mohammed Abdulrahman. Was sent off for two bookable offences in the final stages of the match with Wellington. But his importance to the team was shown by the way he came back into the side against River Plate and put in an assured performance. AFP
    Mohammed Abdulrahman. Was sent off for two bookable offences in the final stages of the match with Wellington. But his importance to the team was shown by the way he came back into the side against River Plate and put in an assured performance. AFP
  • Hussein El Shahat. The Egyptian winger has a goal to his name in the Club World Cup as he netted against Esperance de Tunis. He first signed on a six-month deal in January before being given a permanent contract that runs until 2021. He also celebrated the new contract with a debut call for his country earlier in the year. AFP
    Hussein El Shahat. The Egyptian winger has a goal to his name in the Club World Cup as he netted against Esperance de Tunis. He first signed on a six-month deal in January before being given a permanent contract that runs until 2021. He also celebrated the new contract with a debut call for his country earlier in the year. AFP
  • Caio. Scored the all-important equaliser against River Plate in the semi-finals to force the game in to extra time and penalty shootout which Al Ain would go on to win. He is adept at running with the ball at pace and create space for others, and above all, a danger to any opponent inside the box. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Caio. Scored the all-important equaliser against River Plate in the semi-finals to force the game in to extra time and penalty shootout which Al Ain would go on to win. He is adept at running with the ball at pace and create space for others, and above all, a danger to any opponent inside the box. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Marcus Berg. The forward has been with Al Ain since arriving from Panathinaikos in the summer of 2017 and was top scorer in their run to the league title last season. Has overcome a virus to play a big part in the Club World Cup. Scored the equaliser in the draw with Team Wellington and scored the opening goal against River Plate. Getty Images
    Marcus Berg. The forward has been with Al Ain since arriving from Panathinaikos in the summer of 2017 and was top scorer in their run to the league title last season. Has overcome a virus to play a big part in the Club World Cup. Scored the equaliser in the draw with Team Wellington and scored the opening goal against River Plate. Getty Images

Meet the Al Ain players aiming to shock Real Madrid in the Fifa Club World Cup final

A look at the men likely to be on the field on Saturday at the Zayed Sports City Stadium

Amith Passela
Amith Passela

December 21, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Al Ain have proved to be the surprise package of the Fifa Club World Cup in the UAE.

They have recovered from being 3-0 down in the opening game of the tournament against Team Wellington to reach Saturday's final where they face defending champions Real Madrid.

Here is a look at the players from the Arabian Gulf League side who are expected to face the La Liga side at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with proceedings starting at 8.30pm.

To view the complete XI, check out the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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Read more

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Al Ain 'are going to fight to win' Club World Cup after reaching final, says Khalid Essa

Santiago Solari delighted with 'perfect' Gareth Bale as Real Madrid prepare for Al Ain showdown

Marcus Berg cherishes 'fantastic feeling' of Al Ain's run to the Fifa Club World Cup final

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Al Ain Football Club