By Patrick Akoto
Asamoah Gyan expects Al Ain to rebound against Lekhwiya in their opening match in Group C of the 2014 AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
The United Arab Emirate champions have endured a downward spiral in the gulf region and will view the continental game as a necessary distraction.
Now wilting in the heat of an uncertain summer and a subsequent cold snap in the Arabian Gulf League , Al Ain approach Wednesday nightââ¬â¢s Group C opener against Qatari side Lekhwiya low in confidence and high in quandary.
Last Fridayââ¬â¢s 1-0 league defeat at Al Nasr left Al Ain languishing eighth in the table and the chances of rescuing their 2013/14 campaign are diminishing by the week.
However Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan is confident the Garden City Club can regroup and rebound against the Qatari-based side.
ââ¬ÅAs one of the experienced players itââ¬â¢s my duty to pick up the boys, to make sure they wake up,â⬠he said. ââ¬ÅThese are times we need to show our personality to the team because we donââ¬â¢t want it to get worse.
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢re in a difficult situation at the moment â⬓ we accept that, no excuses. But I think everything will be fine. Weââ¬â¢re disappointed about results, but itââ¬â¢s football. In football, this happens to any team. I believe in our players and feel weââ¬â¢re still the best team in the UAE, despite everything.ââ¬
Anything short of qualification fromà Asiaââ¬â¢s premier club tournament, will shake a club on unsure foundations.
Understandably, Gyan looks to the fresh challenge as a way of building new belief.
ââ¬ÅThe Champions Leagueââ¬â¢s another new thing,â⬠he said. ââ¬ÅThe players are under pressure at the moment and that comes from the fans, also.
ââ¬ÅBut the Champions League can change everything â⬓ a good performance and a win can change it all. Weââ¬â¢ll bring back the support to ourselves.ââ¬