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In a remarkable display of dedication, Al Ain FC's defensive stalwart Khalid Al Hashimi returned to his club's US training camp merely five days after tying the knot, as the UAE champions gear up for their FIFA Club World Cup opener against Italian powerhouse Juventus on June 19.
The Garden City club finds itself in the tournament's Group G alongside football royalty - Premier League titans Manchester City, Serie A giants Juventus, and Moroccan champions Wydad AC - in what promises to be a thrilling test of their continental credentials.
"When your nation's honor is at stake, personal celebrations can wait," declared the 26-year-old center-back with conviction. "We understand the magnitude of this opportunity and are determined to represent our country with distinction."
"Victory is born from sacrifice and unity," he continued. "The camaraderie within our camp is exceptional - from players to technical staff to management. This collective spirit will be our secret weapon against world football's elite."
The revamped 32-team Club World Cup presents a formidable challenge for Al Ain, who must navigate past two European heavyweights in their group stage campaign. However, Khalid remains buoyed by rigorous preparations and anticipates strong support from traveling fans during their Washington clash with Juventus.
"Our supporters fuel our ambition," he emphasized. "To every Emirati making the transatlantic journey - your presence inspires us. With divine blessing, we aim to create unforgettable moments in this landmark competition."
Following their Juve encounter on June 19 at Audi Field, Winfried Schäfer's men face Manchester City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (June 23) before concluding group play against Wydad back in Washington (June 26). The tournament format advances two teams per group into knockout rounds.
Al Ain carry fond memories of their fairytale run to the 2018 final where they eventually fell to Real Madrid. Now under Schäfer's guidance and featuring homegrown talents like Khalid alongside international recruits such as Kodjo Laba and Andriy Yarmolenko,the Boss hope lightning strikes twice on American soil.
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