Al Ain will show there is life after star striker Asamoah Gyan starting with Saturday's season-opening Arabian Gulf Super Cup final against Al Nasr, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.
The Boss are much changed from the side which strolled to the 2014/15 Arabian Gulf League title, South Korea defensive midfielder Lee Myung-joo the only player retained from their four-man foreign quota.
The headline alteration has come up top, Fenerbahce loanee Emmanuel Emenike replacing a club legend in Gyan who scored 95 top-flight goals in 83 games and collected five pieces of major silverware in four years prior to his record ââ¬20 million (Dh81m) sale to Shanghai SIPG last month.
The Nigeria international has thus far failed to score in five preseason friendlies, yet Dalic was sure he would prove his worth â⬓ beginning with tonightââ¬â¢s game at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
He said: ââ¬ÅWe know what Asamoah meant for our team, he was here for four years. But we must forget Gyan and look to the future.
ââ¬ÅThere are three new players in my team [Emenike, plus Netherlands winger Ryan Babel and Brazilian centre midfielder Fellipe Bastos]. We must look at them.
ââ¬ÅIt is a new season. I told the new players they need time â⬓ Emenike, Inshallah, will be a good replacement for Gyan. I hope tomorrow will be a good game for my team and we will take great confidence.ââ¬
Opponents Nasr proved to be the UAEââ¬â¢s cup kings last term, claiming both the Presidentââ¬â¢s Cup â⬓ which qualified them for this match â⬓and Arabian Gulf Super Cup.
The Blue Wave have a trio of fresh foreign buys of their own as the club attempt to push for the AGL crown in 2015/16. Winger Jonathan Pitroipa has arrived from Al Jazira, experienced playmaker Luis Jimenez was snapped up once his Al Ahli contract expired and Brazil striker Nilmar will replace the AWOL Ibrahima Toure.
Boss Ivan Jovanovic hoped to continue the momentum from the final game of the previous campaign, when they defeated Al Ahli on penalties to lift the Presidentââ¬â¢s Cup.
He said: ââ¬ÅIt is good after two months to start a new season. As a team, we are very happy to end the last season by winning the Presidentââ¬â¢s Cup and begin the new one with the Arabian Gulf Super Cup.
ââ¬ÅWe now play against the best team of the league. We hope to make a good start to the new season.ââ¬
The fixture is a landmark for football in the UAE, broadcasters Abu Dhabi Sports beginning to encrypt all coverage from tonight.
A fee of Dh19 a month can be paid to access the Arabian Gulf League and other competitions, the move the product of a study co-authorised by the Pro League Committee to get more fans to attend games.
With average AGL attendances only 2,529 last term, Dalic praised the move.
"In Morocco [for the UAE-Morocco Super Cup last weekend] we played in front of 50,00 people. That is football. More fans in our stadiums would be very nice. I support anything that makes this possible.ââ¬
Confusion had surrounded the hosting of the traditional showpiece after political infighting in Kuwait followed a successful petition to have Decemberââ¬â¢s Gulf Cup pushed back one year.
It had even been suggested the Super Cup would be played in mid-September, though the original domestic calendar now looks set to be stuck to. ââ¬ÅOf course, this date and time of season is difficult,â⬠Jovanovic said.
"But we had no other choice. ââ¬ÅWe have to adapt to the conditions. It will be difficult for both.ââ¬