Al-Ahly club player Jamal Rashid in an exclusive interview in which he sheds light on the King’s Cup final, which will be held tomorrow, Saturday, between Muharraq and Al-Ahly, and comments on Al-Ahly’s previous failures in addition to the relationship that links it with the opposing team. The content of the interview was as follows:
You were able to win the King’s Cup with Al-Muharraq and with Al-Riffa as well, but what does the opportunity to win the title with your parent club mean to you?
– Obtaining this title with Al-Ahly is a dream that I have wanted to achieve since the beginning of my career. Raising the cup with Muharraq and Al-Riffa was one of the happiest moments of my career, but dedicating this achievement to my childhood club would mean a lot to me.
This is Al-Ahly’s third final in the King’s Cup in 4 years. Does losing the last two finals put pressure on the players and the technical team?
– Of course, and this basically pushes us to work harder in order to please the loyal fans who continued to support the team, and did not stop cheering despite our absence from the podiums.
Your comment on last Monday’s loss?
– We wished for victory and strived for it, but this is football. We will certainly work to make up the points in the upcoming league matches, and of course we still have a chance to take the lead, but now all our focus is on the final, in which there is no room for compensation.
How does this final differ for Al-Ahly from previous finals?
Being in a good position in the league gives us additional motivation and high morale, which is reflected even in the cup matches, in contrast to past seasons in which Al-Ahly was far from the top.
The reason for your return to representing your first club, Al-Ahly, after all these years and many experiences?
– In this club my football career began, and from here I learned the basics of the game. My memories with the Eagles and my gratitude to this entity are the most important reasons for my decision to return to represent the team.
Are you thinking of retiring from Al-Ahly?
– Yes, this is the current plan, but I do not know what surprises the future holds.
Based on your experience with Muharraq, who are their most dangerous players and whom Al-Ahly should be wary of?
-Muharraq is a fierce competitor and has all the elements of a champion team, including management, fans, technical staff, and even their young players who can make the difference, so we must exert our utmost efforts without focusing only on specific names if we want to win.
Does Muharraq have the advantage due to its historical experience in the tournament?
Muharraq always has prestige and a distinguished presence in the finals, but the stadium has rules and every match has its surprises, and the probability of winning the championship is 50/50 between the two teams.
How do you feel when you are about to face your former teammates in a fateful match like this?
– I do not look at it this way. I now represent Al-Ahly and all the opponents are equal to me. I have beautiful memories with Al-Muharraq and I am grateful for the times I spent there, and I still have close relationships with the players, but now my focus is on giving 100% in order to win and achieve championships. For the Eagles team.
A word to the Al-Ahly fans who have longed for the championship since 2003..
– Our fans…do not need an invitation to attend, and I am sure they will fill the stands as usual. I apologize if we fell short and our past failures made you sad, and God willing, we will make you happy and compensate you this time. You are our support and deserve all the best.
A message to the opponent’s fans…
Muharraq fans add a special flavor to the matches and give spirit to the Bahraini League. I hope they will come to support their team and so that the final will be enthusiastic and worthy of the King’s Cup and local football.
Mass Communication student at the University of Bahrain
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