Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu has tipped his hat to Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan for playing through the pain barrier in their weekend 2-2 draw with Baniyas in the UAE Pro League.Â
Sunderland loanee picked up a slight injury at half-time but requested to stay on and fight for his side.
"In fact, he had a slight injury at half time and I was going to take him off, but the player himself was determined to stay on," Olaroiu said in a post match interview.
Gyan's goals included a a contentious penalty that he had to take twice.
The 25-year-old was forced to retake a second half spot-kick, which he had scored, because he hesitated in his run-up, something that is now illegal.
Gyan, kept his nerve, however, the second time around to seal a draw as his goal finished the scoring at 2-2.
Olaroiu admitted he did not even want him to take the first kick.
"I don't like it when the player who wins a penalty, then takes the penalty," he said.
"But Gyan scored from the spot against Emirates so he wanted to take it again. It was the referee's decision to retake it and Gyan did well to score twice.''