Al-Wahda player Dusan Tadic stated that the team's qualification to the final of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup, at the expense of Al-Jazira (Al-Wahda won the first leg 3-0 and lost the second leg 0-1), came after a complex and difficult encounter on both mental and physical levels. He emphasized that the focus was from the beginning on achieving the most important goal, which is reaching the final, regardless of the pressures and challenges surrounding the match, while noting that Al-Wahda will not be affected by the departure of coach Jose Morais.
Tadic told "Al Ittihad" that the team has been doing well since the start of the season, saying: "Regarding the coach's departure, I cannot say much about this, as we must not judge each other or make personal assessments, and everyone has their own reasons and circumstances. What matters to me and everyone in the club is that the team's interest comes first, and the club is above any individual no matter his name or position".
He continued: "All players and management understand that the club is the most important, and we are always required to show a positive image on and off the field, and we must show that we are moving in the right direction and continue to work with the same spirit and focus in the next phase".
Tadic praised the significant role of Al-Wahda's fans, saying: "The fan support was a decisive factor in overcoming the difficult moments the team went through, as the players felt an extra boost of energy inside the field thanks to the fans' support, which helped them maintain their balance until the final whistle".
He added: "The match against Al-Jazira was very difficult by all standards, and I would like to direct a special thanks to our fans, because they were a real source of energy for us inside the field, as when you feel that the fans are behind you and support you in every ball and every minute, it gives you an additional motivation to continue and fight until the end".
Tadic also addressed Al-Wahda's loss in the second leg, which cost them a chance to achieve a record, saying: "Talking about individual statistics is not important to me, the collective goal is always the most important, and we played two legs and qualified for the final with a 3-1 aggregate score, and this is the real achievement we should focus on".
Regarding his future and potential move into coaching, Tadic said: "Yes, perhaps that is on the table in the future, but I feel that I have many years left in me where I can still give and play at the highest level".
He concluded his statements by saying: "As for the upcoming match against Al-Ain in the Professional Cup final, it will be a big and strong confrontation, and our goal is always to reach the finals and compete for titles, and we will think about this match when the time comes, but for now we are focusing on the current stage, we will get some rest, and then we will start preparing for the upcoming commitments with full focus and ambition".
Tadic: "The match against Al-Ain in the Professional Cup final will be a big and strong confrontation".
