Al Ain FC
Mohamed Bin Zayed | |||
Chairman | Hazza bin Zayed | ||
---|---|---|---|
Manager | Hernán Crespo | ||
League | UAE Pro League | ||
2022–23 | UAE Pro League, 2nd | ||
Website | Club website | ||
| |||
Al Ain Football Club (
The club was founded in 1968 by players from Al Ain, members of a Bahraini group of exchange students and the Sudanese community working in the United Arab Emirates.[1] The team quickly gained popularity and recognition throughout the country, being the team with the most trophies (35 in total).[2]
Al Ain is by far the
History
Foundation and early years
Squad of season 1975-76 |
---|
Jasim Al Dhaheri |
Subait Anbar |
Saeed Mubarak |
Ahmed Hajeer |
Abdullah Matar |
Fayez Subait |
Juma Khalaf |
Abdelhafez Arab |
Ahmed Al Qatari |
Shaya Masoud |
Ali Saeed |
Awad Saeed |
In the early 1960s, a group of young men learned the rules of the game by watching British soldiers playing football and formed their own team. The first pitch was very simple and small, taking the shape of a square sandy plot of land on the main street near the Clock Roundabout in Al Ain.[5] In August 1968, the club was officially established, taking its name from the
with a permanent headquarters in the Al Jahili district and a Land Rover to serve the club and the team.[6] Al Ain made a successful debut by beating a team made up of British soldiers and went on to play friendly matches against other Abu Dhabi clubs. In 1971, the team played their first match against international opposition when they were defeated 7–0 by the Egyptian club Ismaily
In 1971, a group members of the club (Hadher Khalaf Al Muhairi, Saleem Al Khudrawi, Mohammed Khalaf Al Muhairi and Mahmoud Fadhlullah) broke away and founded Al Tadhamun Club.
The founders were Mohammed Saleh Bin Badooh and Khalifa Nasser Al Suwaidi, Saeed Bin Ghannoum Al Hameli, Abdullah Hazzam, Salem Hassan Al Muhairi, Abdullah and Mane'a Ajlan, Saeed Al Muwaisi, Nasser Dhaen, Abdullah Matar, Juma Al Najem, Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, Ibrahim Rasool and Ali Al Maloud and Ali Bu Majeed, who were the members of the Bahraini group of exchange students and Maamoun Abdulqader, Mahmoud Fadhlullah, Al Fateh Al Talib, Hussain Al Mirghani, Abbas Ali and Nasser, Abdullah Al Mansouri from the Sudanese and Saudi community working in the UAE.[1][8]
First titles and Entry to the Football League (1974–1997)
On 2 February 1974, the club won its first title, the Abu Dhabi League. On 13 November 1974, Sheikh Khalifa was named honorary president of Al Ain, in recognition of his continuing support for the club.
The 1992–93 season began with several new signings: Saif Sultan (
The Golden Age (1997–2003)
Before the start of the 1997–98 season, the honorary board was formed on 7 June 1997.
In 2003, Al Ain contested the
In the home leg, Al Ain prevailed 2–0 with goals from Salem Johar and Mohammad Omar. At the Rajamangala Stadium
New Era (2016–present)
In December 2018, Al Ain which celebrated the 50th anniversary participating in the
Club rivalries
Abu Dhabi Classico
Al Ain–Shabab Al Ahli rivlary
Al Ain–Sharjah rivlary
Crest and colours
Crests
Al Jahili Fort is considered as a symbol of the club, because it reflects the history of the city and also was the formal home of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan since 1946 when he was a ruler's representative. It officially became a crest for the club in 1980.[11]
They import a single star in their emblem because of their 2003 AFC Champions League victory.
Kits and colours
The team began playing in green and white in 1968. After merging with Al Tadhamon in 1974, their red colour became Al Ain's from season 1974–75 until the start of season 1976–77. During the first team training camp in Morocco in 1977, a friendly tournament was held by Moroccan club
- Notes
- ^ The club colours worn from 1968 to in 1974.[13]
- ^ Al Tadhamon colour became Al Ain's from 1974 to in 1977
- ^ Purple became the main colour of the club with the beginning of the season 1977–78.
- ^ The club’s 50th anniversary kits, with the number 50 emblazoned in gold stitching during the 2018-19 season
- ^ Al Ain had primarily worn purple and white home and away kits. In 2023–24 season, Al Ain changed home kit to black base with a purple graphic design and gold for logos, with black shorts and socks.
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
chest | back | sleeve | ||||||
1991–1992 | Puma, Adidas | None | ||||||
1992–1993 | Lotto | |||||||
1993–1994 | ||||||||
1994–1995 | ||||||||
1995–1996 | Lotto, Uhlsport | |||||||
1996–1997 | Adidas | |||||||
1997–1998 | Jako, Kelme, Lotto, ABM [it], Adidas | |||||||
1998–1999 | Lotto | Bin Hamoodah | None | None | ||||
1999–2000 | CALANNI | Abu Dhabi National Hotels | ||||||
2000–2001 | Jako | Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba[14] | Avis | Xerox | ||||
2001–2002 | Adidas | Yas Perfumes[14] | None | |||||
2002–2003 | Nike | Al Habtoor[15] | ||||||
2003–2004 | ADCB | |||||||
2004–2005 | Lotto | Sasan Trading[16] | ADCB | |||||
2005–2006 | AlFahim[16] | |||||||
2006–2009 | Sorouh | Tamouh | Hydra | None | ||||
2009 | Adidas | None | ||||||
2009–2010 | Erreà | Sorouh | First Gulf Bank[17] | Tamouh | None | Hydra | None | |
2010–2011 | Macron, Erreà | Abu Dhabi National Hotels[18] | Strata | |||||
2011 | Kappa | None | None | |||||
2011–2013 | Adidas[19] | Sorouh | First Gulf Bank | Abu Dhabi National Hotels | Strata | |||
2013–2015 | Nike[20] | First Gulf Bank | Abu Dhabi Airports[21][22] | |||||
2015–2016 | BMW Abu Dhabi Motors[23] | |||||||
2016–2018 | FAB – First Abu Dhabi Bank | None | ||||||
2018–2021 | None | |||||||
2021–2023 | Expo 2020 | Rain[24] | ||||||
2023– | EIH – Ethmar International Holding[25] | None |
Grounds
Al Ain first playground was set up on the main street near the Clock Roundabout in
Honours
37 official Championships.[27]
Type | Competition | Seasons | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titles | Runners-up | |||||
Domestic | National | Pro League | 1976–77, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1992–93, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2021–22 | 14 | 1975–76, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2004–05, 2015–16, 2022–23 | 9 |
President's Cup[28] | 7 | 8S | ||||
Super Cup | 1995, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2015 | 5S | 1993, 2002, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022 | 6 | ||
League Cup | 2008–09, 2021–22 | 2 | 2010–11, 2022–23 | 2 | ||
Federation Cup | 1988–89, 2004–05, 2005–06 | 3 | 1986, 1994 | 2 | ||
Joint League[29] | 1982–83 | 1S | ||||
State | Abu Dhabi Championship[7] | 1973–74, 1974–75 | 2S | |||
Regional | GCC Champions League
|
2001
|
1 | |||
Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup | 2015 | 1 | ||||
Continental | AFC Champions League | 2003 | 1 | 2005, 2016 | 2 | |
Worldwide | FIFA Club World Cup | – | – | 2018 | 1 |
- record
- S shared record
Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Unregistered players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Personnel
Current technical staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Hernán Crespo |
Assistant coaches | Juan Branda Nicolás Domínguez Ahmed Abdullah |
Chief analyst | Carles Martínez |
Analyst | Tiago Freire |
Goalkeeping coaches | Gustavo Nepote |
Fitness coach | Federico Martinetti |
U-21 team head coach | Ismail Ahmed |
Physiotherapist | Santiago Thompson Felipe Perseu Pianca Abdelnasser Aljohny |
Club Doctor | Nikos Tzouroudis |
Nutritionist | Ricardo Pinto |
Scout | Daniele Di Napoli |
Team manager | Ahmed Al Shamsi |
Team supervisor | Abdullah Al Shamsi[33] |
Last updated: 14 November 2023
Source: 1
Management
Board of directors
Office | Name |
---|---|
President | Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
|
Vice President Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain SCC |
Hazza bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
|
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain SCC Chairman of the Executive Committee Chairman of the Steering Committee[34] |
Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan[35] |
Members of the Steering Committee | Mohammad Obaid Hammad |
Members of the Steering Committee | Awad Al Kaabi |
Members of the Steering Committee | Matar Al Darmaki |
Members of the Steering Committee | Mohamed Al Mahmood |
Last updated: 7 June 2023
Source: Al Ain Club
Managerial history
* Served as caretaker coach.
No. | Nationality | Head coach | From | Until | Honours |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nasser Dhaen* | 1968 | 1971[36][37][38] | ||
2 | Abdel Aziz Hammami | 1971[37] | 1973 | ||
3 | Ahmed Alyan | 1973 | 1976 | 2 Abu Dhabi Championship | |
4 | Humaid Dhib | 1976 | 1976 | ||
5 | Ahmed Alyan | 1976 | 1979 | 1 Championship | |
6 | Abdelmajid Chetali | 1979 | 1980 | ||
7 | Ahmed Nagah* | 1980 | 1982 | 1 Championship | |
8 | Nelsinho Rosa | 1982 | 1984 | 1 Championship, 1 Joint League | |
9 | Miljan Miljanić | 1984 | 1986 | ||
10 | Jair Picerni | 1986 | 1986 | ||
11 | João Francisco | 1986 | 1988 | ||
12 | Zé Mario | 1988 | 1990 | 1 Federation Cup | |
13 | Mahieddine Khalef | 1990 | 1992 | ||
14 | Yusri Abdul Ghani | 1992 | 1992 | ||
15 | Amarildo
|
1992 | 1995 | 1 Championship | |
16 | Shaker Abdel-Fattah | 1995 | 1995 | 1 Supercup | |
17 | Ángel Marcos | 1995 | 1996 | ||
18 | Lori Sandri | 1996 | 1996 | ||
19 | Cabralzinho
|
1997 | 1997 | ||
20 | Shaker Abdel-Fattah | 1997 | 1998 | 1 Championship | |
21 | Nelo Vingada | 1998 | 15 November 1998 | ||
22 | Ilie Balaci | 15 November 1998 | 10 May 2000 | 1 President's Cup 1 Championship | |
23 | Oscar Fulloné | 29 June 2000 | November 2000 | ||
24 | Mrad Mahjoub | November 2000 | March 2001 | 1 Gulf Club Champions Cup | |
25 | Anghel Iordănescu | March 2001 | 4 January 2002 | 1 President's Cup | |
26 | Ahmed Abdullah* | 6 January 2002 | 8 January 2002 | ||
27 | Džemal Hadžiabdić | 8 January 2002 | 15 June 2002 | 1 Championship | |
28 | Bruno Metsu | 14 July 2002 | 1 June 2004 | 2 Championships, 1 Champions League, 1 Supercup | |
29 | Alain Perrin | July 2004 | 21 Oct 2004 | ||
30 | Mohammad El Mansi* | 23 Oct 2004 | Jan 2005 | 1 Federation Cup |
No. | Nationality | Head coach | From | Until | Honours |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
31 | Milan Máčala | Jan 2005 | Jan 2006 | 1 President's Cup | |
32 | Mohammad El Mansi* | Jan 2006 | June 2006 | 1 President's Cup, 1 Federation Cup | |
33 | Anghel Iordănescu | June 2006 | Nov 2006 | ||
34 | Tiny Ruys* | Nov 2006 | January 2007 | ||
35 | Walter Zenga | 7 January 2007 | 1 June 2007 | ||
36 | Tite | 9 July 2007 | 22 Dec 2007 | ||
37 | Winfried Schäfer | 25 Dec 2007 | 2 Dec 2009 | 1 League Cup, 1 President's Cup, 1 Supercup | |
38 | Rachid Benmahmoud* | 2 Dec 2009 | 6 Dec 2009 | ||
39 | Toninho Cerezo | 6 Dec 2009 | 14 April 2010 | ||
40 | Abdulhameed Al Mistaki* | 14 April 2010 | 20 Dec 2010 | ||
41 | Ahmed Abdullah* | 20 Dec 2010 | 30 Dec 2010 | ||
42 | Alexandre Gallo | 30 Dec 2010 | 6 June 2011 | ||
43 | Cosmin Olăroiu | 6 June 2011 | 6 July 2013 | 2 Championships, 1 Supercup | |
44 | Jorge Fossati | 29 July 2013 | 13 Sept 2013 | ||
45 | Ahmed Abdullah* | 13 Sept 2013 | 27 Sept 2013 | ||
46 | Quique Sánchez Flores | 27 Sept 2013 | 8 March 2014 | ||
47 | Zlatko Dalić | 8 March 2014 | 23 January 2017 | 1 Championship, 1 President's Cup, 1 Supercup 1 Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup | |
– | Joško Španjić* | 23 January 2017 | 1 February 2017 | ||
49 | Zoran Mamić | 1 February 2017 | 30 January 2019 | 1 Championship, 1 President's Cup | |
– | Željko Sopić* | 30 January 2019 | 18 February 2019 | ||
51 | Juan Carlos Garrido | 18 February 2019 | 26 May 2019 | ||
52 | Ivan Leko | 1 June 2019 | 21 December 2019 | ||
– | Ghazi Fahad* | 21 December 2019 | 5 January 2020 | ||
54 | Pedro Emanuel | 5 January 2020 | 11 May 2021 | ||
55 | Serhiy Rebrov | 6 June 2021 | 27 May 2023 | 1 Championship, 1 League Cup | |
56 | Alfred Schreuder | 27 May 2023 | 8 November 2023 | ||
57 | Hernán Crespo | 14 November 2023 | present |
Record
Recent seasons
Champions | Runners-up | 3rd place | Advanced to next round but the cup continued in next season |
Notes
- ^ Starting from the 2008-09 season or whats known as the Pro Era, UAE Federation Cup was replaced with UAE League Cup.
- ^ Al Ain withdrew, Al Wahda replaced it.
- ^ 2019–20 UAE football season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates.
Top goalscorers
Updated 21 February 2024.
Bold indicates player is still active at club level.
Rank | Player | Years | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Ahmed Abdullah | 1978–1995 | 233 |
2 | Asamoah Gyan | 2011–2015 | 128 |
3 | Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba | 2019–present | 120 |
4 | Mohieddine Habita | 1976–1983 | 71 |
5 | Majid Al Owais | 1992 | 70 |
6 | Omar Abdulrahman | 2008–2018 | 62 |
7 | Matar Al Sahbani | 1983 | 60 |
Salem Johar | 1992–2005 | ||
9 | Saif Sultan | 1992–2005 | 55 |
10 | Marcus Berg | 2017–2019 | 51 |
Note: this includes goals scored in all competitions.[39]
Top scorers in Asian competitions
Since 2002–03 AFC Champions League, includes goals scored in qualifying play-off
Statistics correct as of match played against Al Hilal on 17 April 2024
R | Player | TOTAL |
---|---|---|
1 | Omar Abdulrahman | 18 |
Asamoah Gyan | ||
3 | Soufiane Rahimi | 11 |
4 | Marcus Berg | 9 |
5 | Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba | 8 |
6 | Boubacar Sanogo | 7 |
Ibrahim Diaky | ||
8 | Nenad Jestrović | 6 |
Caio Lucas | ||
10 | Mohamed Abdulrahman | 5 |
Douglas | ||
Danilo Asprilla | ||
Subait Khater |
Asian
Overview
- As of 23 April 2024.
Competition | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Club Championship / Champions League[n 1] | 142 | 60 | 39 | 43 | 230 | 188 | +42 | 42.25 |
Cup Winners' Cup | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 37.50 |
Total | 150 | 63 | 39 | 48 | 237 | 200 | +37 | 42.00 |
- GF = Goals For. GA = Goals Against. GD = Goal Difference.
- ^ does not include 4 match in play-off round.
Participations
Competition | 1995 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2010 | 2011 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2024 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asian Cup Winners' Cup | 2R | 1R | QF | |||||||||||||||||||
Club Championship / Champions League | 3rd | 2R | W | QF | RU | QF | GS | GS | GS | GS | SF | R16 | RU | QF | R16 | GS | GS | QS | F |
- QS : Qualifying Stage, 1R/2R : First/Second round, GS : Group Stage, R16 : Round of 16, QF : Quarterfinals, SF : Semifinal, R : Runner-up, C : Champions
See also
- List of football clubs in the United Arab Emirates
- List of world champion football clubs and vice-world champions in football
References
- ^ a b "club Foundation3". alainclub.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "40 years of UAE Football". EmaratAlYoum. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Al Ain look to the future". FIFA. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ "Al Ain "The Boss" with 58 titles". EmaratAlYoum. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ^ a b "The Beginning". alainclub.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ^ a b "club Foundation4". alainclub.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d "club Foundation5". alainclub.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
- ^ "خليفة ناصر السويدي: خليفة بن زايد أكبر داعم لتأسيس نادي العين". AlBayan.ae. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ a b "club Foundation – 2". alainteam.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- ^ "The honorary board". alainteam.com (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 11 December 2004. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- ^ "Club Emblem" (in Arabic). AlAinClub.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2004. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ "The Purple Story". alainclub.com (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
- ^ "Al Ain and Al Ahli in 1974". Mohammed Al Joker Official Instagram. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Al Ain Club honour top achievers of season". Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "Al Ain Club finalise sponsorship deals". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Hazza honours Al Ain sponsors and advertisers". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "FGB sponsors Al Ain Football Club for the second year in a row". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "شراكة جديدة بين نادي العين الرياضي وأبوظبي الوطنية للفنادق". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "قمصان جديدة للعين من نايكي بدل أديداس". Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "العين ونايك يوقعان اتفاقية شراكة". Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "نادي العين و"مطارات أبوظبي" يوقعان شراكة لثلاث سنوات". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "نادي العين يجدد عقد شراكته مع مطارات أبوظبي". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ Al Ain Football Club [@alainfcae] (12 October 2015). "BMW أحدث العلامات التجارية الدولية على قمصان لاعبي نادي العين" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 December 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Concluding a New Partnership Agreement With Rain". Al Ain FC. 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ "Al Ain Club and Ethmar International Holding sign a 2-year partnership contract". AlAinClub.ae. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "first playground". alainclub.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
- ^ "Club Milestones". Al Ain FC. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Joint League" (in Arabic). UAEFA.ae. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ^ "Team | ALAINFC". Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "UAEFA; Players". Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "UAEProLeague; Squad and Manager". Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Abdullah Al Shamesi Appointed The Supervisor Of First And Reserved Football Teams". AlAinClub.ae. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ "Hazza bin Zayed Appoints Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed to Run Al Ain Club Football Company's Affairs". AlAinClub.ae. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Under the Directives of Hazza bin Zayed.. Sultan bin Hamdan Zayed is Appointed the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Club and Chairman of the Executive Committee". AlAinClub.ae. 25 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023.
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External links
- Official website
- Al Ain FC on Arabian Gulf Leagueofficial website
- Al Ain FC on AFC official website