Al Ain shocked the world of football when they knocked out River Plate in the semifinals of the Club World Cup, and could face Real Madrid in the final should Los Blancos get past Kashima Antlers on Wednesday. But how much do you know about the club from the United Arab Emirates?
Al Ain have played three and won three in this year's Club World Cup. They came from 3-0 down against Wellington to force a penalty shootout which they would go onto win. They then thrashed Esperance from Tunisia and then caused a massive upset by defeating River, also on spot kicks.
Al Ain are just the fourth club from outside Europe or the Americas to make it to the final. Mazembe (Congo) in 2010, Raja Casablanca (Morocco) in 2013 and Kashima Antlers (Japan) in 2016 were the three others.
Some big names have featured at Al Ain over the years, including Spanish manager Quique Sanchez Flores, who coached the team in the 2013-14 season, as has Brazilian national team coach Tite. Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan also once plied his trade for the club.
Former Argentina international Ariel Ortega agreed to join the club back in 2008. But the nimble winger, at the last moment, ended up signing for Independiente Rivadavia, who included a clause in his contract that he would undergo a strict recovery programme for alcohol addiction.
Also not shy from controversy is current boss Zoran Mamic. The Croatian was sentenced to four years in prison at the trial in which his brother Zdravko was accused of misappropriation related to the transfers of the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic.
realEddy
0
i hope they are working hard because this time river plate got knocked out on spotkicks which means these arab ballers are not messing around and I hope our story will not be like that of river plate but madrid I'm afraid, are in for a surprise this time around
boibrandon
0
we have not even won the semi final
kusadk
0
Alain have a very good chance to beat real Madrid after ronaldo left them they weren’t that good lately with goals. I would say alain have 60% chance to win
Yoobnrsu
1
none sense
SkiideuG
0
I wonder how many goals will Courtois concede today
Courtois has been responsible for the fact that we have been picking 3 points lately. his saves kept us in those games. stop belittling him and demoralising the team. he has been chosen as our number 1. it's done and dusted. let's support him to be the very best he can be
TshiamoClinton
1
I wonder how many goals will Courtois concede today
sjohnson
1
never underestimate the underdogs
Trevorn
1
some will say this is an easy match for us. that was the same thing they said when we played against CSKA Moscow in the final cl group stage match. what was the result??? we can't just take them lightly cos the same thing can repeat itself. 3-0 isn't a scoreline that can be washed off so easily, kind of like a stain. however, I am confident that we will get the win. Hala Madrid
WasimRaz
0
Nothing.. That will be a easy game for Real Madrid
12UnitedGuyReborn
3
Still small boys the men are coming to show you how it's done