Cairo - Arabstoday
Brazilian defender Ricardo Alves is likely to be Ahmed Samir Farag's substitue in the left wing positition as he is on trial in Ismaily. The 29-year-old defender has previous experience of the Egyptian Premier League as he played for Cairo-based club Zamalek back in 2007 before he was dismissed. “I am so happy to be in Ismaily,” Ricardo was quoted as saying on the club’s official website adding “I hope to join this big club with amazing teammates,” Ricardo can be the second new defender for the Ismailia-based side as they recently landed their former defender Emad Abdel-Meneim from El-Kanah. New Ismaily coach, Hossam Hassan and his twin, football director, Ibrahim, are leading the Yellows training sessions since Thursday surrounded by the support of thousands of fans. “All I am focusing on now is the players’ salaries, they have to be paid otherwise I will leave,” Hossam Hassan announced. Hassan, who was dismissed by Zamalek after they surrendered a six-point lead over Ahly to gift their arch rivals a seventh consecutive Egyptian Premier League title last season, is succeeding Emad Soliman at Ismaily’s helm who finished third to extend their trophy drought to nine years. Ismaily's new board -- under the presidency of Yehia El-Komy -- is facing financial problems, which they promise to soon resolve. “I signed with Ismaily to lead them to the championships glory and to build them a big team,” the 45-year old Hassan concluded.