A club's success

Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu is the man behind Al Ain's success. He has revolutionized the club leading it from the bottom of the table to this year’s championship in one season span. The rebuilding project started when Olaroiu brought in Saudi Arabian national team captain Yasser Al Qahtani, Argentine midfielder Ignacio Scocco, and the Ghana international Asamoah Gyan. Then he added the veteran Emirati Helal Saeed, to use his skills in midfield. Behind those guys, Olaroiu built his 4-3-3 formation, based on width, with the wingers that had the goal to get at full-backs and play for the central forward and for the two upcoming midfielders whose had both to defend and attack. The return of Gyan from the African Cup of Nations allowed Olaroiu to utilize the 4-4-2 too, pairing him to Al Qahtani up top. All the eyes was on the lone striker Asamoah Gyan, top scorer in the Pro League with 20 goals in just 17 games, but he was 'just' the star in a very good bunch of players. Goalkeepers Waleed Salem and Dawoud Sulaiman, UAE international Fares Jumaa, Khaled Abdulrahman, Mohanad Salem Al Saadi, Fawzi Fayez, Ismail Ahmed and Musalam Fayez, was part of a very good defense. Scocco was the creative playmaker of Al Ain. Midfielder Salem Abdulla was a force of nature. Helal Saeed, Mirel Radoi and Yasser Al Qahtani all impressed. Now, it's time to look ahead. Gyan’s contract allows Al Ain to make his loan from English Premier League side Sunderland permanent for €3.5 million and Olariou hopes the club will make the move. Olaroiu also is hopeful to retain Al-Qahtani and Scocco. Remains some doubt over the future of both players. Coach and fans want the team become the first Pro-League winners to defend their title. We will see... It's easy to reach the summit, is difficult to stay here.