Al Ain centre forward Asamoah Gyan has sent out a warning to the Arabian Gulf League that he is closing on a return to his deadliest form for the final months of the season.
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Gyan, 29, has been the division’s top scorer in the last three campaigns since joining from Sunderland – initially on loan – in 2011. But a bitty 2014-15 sees him trail 20-goal leading marksman Mirko Vucinic of Al Jazira by nine strikes – injury, suspension and fatigue from Ghana’s run to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final taking their toll.
The predator of old has re-appeared of late, his tremendous curled winner in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against the Pride of Abu Dhabi making it four goals in his last three appearances in all competitions.
“I am getting better and better and better,” Gyan said. “I felt better in the [AFC Champions League] game in Naft Tehran. I told my colleagues I am feeling better.
“My running kilometres is improving, I am getting my fitness back. The game against Al Jazira was even better. I am getting better in each game.”
The 2-1 triumph saw the Boss go six points clear of their secondplaced opponents with only eight games remaining. The match wasn’t without controversy, Jazira players being angered that Gyan didn’t kick the ball out in the build-up to his winner as defender Khalid Sabeal recovered from injury.
Gyan says he had done nothing wrong, the Ghana international insisting those blaming him were just trying “to find an excuse”.
Happy to score for @alainfcae in derby win over @AlJazira_uae with a special friend in the stands: http://t.co/er5T5PoXG9 #monko
— ASAMOAH GYAN (@ASAMOAH_GYAN3) March 8, 2015
He said: “I am a professional who always abides by the fair-play rules. But when I got the ball, I saw there was a player down so I was watching their reaction.
“The guy was on the floor, and I saw him get up. That’s why I continued. “After the goal, he went down again to find an excuse. That is no good for me.”
Gyan was sportingly absolved of any blame by Jazira boss Eric Gerets, who commendably spoke to the player at the final whistle and supported his actions in the postmatch press conference.
“I was trying to explain to Gerets why I didn’t kick the ball out,” the former Rennes and Udinese star said. “He told me I was right. I appreciate it as he is an experienced coach, one of the best coaches.”
