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Dubai: Former UAE playmaker and Al Ahli skipper Saleem Khamis is hoping his teammates carry on the positives from last year as he sets an ambitious eye on the forthcoming season.
"There are eleven players in a team and we hope we can continue with this united spirit as we start preparations," Khamis told Gulf News.
Khamis, now 27, has proved himself an integral part of both the national team and Al Ahli in the holding midfield role.
And though dropped at the start of last year by then coach Yousuf Al Zawawi, he made his comeback under current coach Ivan Hasek and stayed on to guide his side to the President's Cup.
"The idea this year is to continue with the stress on teamwork while also taking care of each other both on and off the field," Khamis said.
Al Ahli had looked like potential double winners last season, but slipped up, delivering a string of under-par performances at towards the end of the campaign, which saw them finish third behind champions Al Shabab and Al Jazira.
"We had a disastrous start to the season. On the other hand, Al Shabab had a fantastic start and they managed to keep the pressure throughout the season. We did not have luck in the end," Khamis said.
"We will be targeting a strong start this year, one which will see us keep our focus from the word go, and I am sure our team is prepared to put in a lot of hard work starting from now itself," he added.
The midfielder said the team had to take one match at a time, starting from their opener for the Super Cup against defending league champions Al Shabab on September 14.
"We have to realise and recognise the fact that not one team will be easy prey this season. But we are ready for some hard work and we will take it one match at a time," he said.
And he player was expecting challenges from several teams.
"There is Al Shabab, Al Jazira, Al Wahda, Al Wasl, Al Ain, but Al Ahli will be one the serious contenders for the trophies this year,"
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