‘I think I deserve a contract extension’ Brett Holman says after leading Al Nasr to President’s Cup title

The Australian forward’s current deal is set to expire this month and club officials have yet to tell the former Aston Villa player whether they will retain his services, reports Amith Passela.

Al Nasr's Brett Holman, right, and Hassan Mohamed celebrate defeating Al Ahli during the President's Cup final match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on June 3, 2015. Christopher Pike / The NationShow more

AL AIN // Al Nasr captain Brett Holman believes his heroics in Wednesday night's President's Cup success warrant him being given a contract by the club.

The Australian forward’s current deal is set to expire this month and club officials have yet to tell the former Aston Villa player whether they will retain his services.

“For me personally, I think I deserve a contract extension,” said Holman, who joined Nasr in 2013.

“If you look what I have done, how I have performed and what we have achieved as a team, in which I have been a part of that process I believe in my heart I deserve a contract extension.”

Holman’s stamina and industry was instrumental in Nasr forcing the game into extra time courtesy of Kwon Kyung-won’s own goal three minutes from full time after Ahmed Khalil had put Al Ahli in front with a header. Ivan Jovanovic’s men then won the penalty shoot-out 3-0 to secure a first President’s Cup success in 26 years.

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“I knew a little bit of the history of the club before I joined. It is my third trophy after the Gulf Clubs Cup and the Arabian Gulf Cup. So personally I am so happy and proud to say we won three titles in two years,” he said.

“It is fantastic and amazing. You just look back the history and we never won anything and suddenly here we are with three trophies, including the prestigious President’s Cup.”

Tariq Ahmed, also playing in his second season at Nasr, echoed his teammate’s sentiments, saying: “What we achieved tonight is the most remarkable achievement. It was in everyone’s heart and mind to win this cup for the club. I think everyone played their part.

“Everyone contributed to our success on the night, the players, the technical staff, the club management and above all our fans. They came in numbers to be behind us.

“They kept pumping us throughout the 120 odd minutes in very testing conditions. And the players, they gave 200 per cent. It was all fully worth it at the end.”

Majed Naser, the Ahli goalkeeper, said it was one of those days when nothing worked out for Cosmin Olaroiu’s side, who couldn’t sustain their end-of-season momentum into one last game.

“We have to put this result behind us and start looking at the season ahead,” he said.

“We still have the Asian Champions League to play for and the new season. Hopefully we can come back as a stronger team.”

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