All-action midfielder Fellipe Bastos has revealed he is not feeling any pressure to score his first goal for new club Al Ain.
The Brazilian scored a sublime 25-yard free-kick in a pre-season friendly against Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal in early August, but he has failed to find the back of the net in six league and cup outings since the 2015/16 campaign began.
The 25-year-old, who was bought from South American giants Vasco da Gama in July, was at his bustling best as the Boss won their third- straight Arabian Gulf League game on Monday night against Sharjah.
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Asked after the 2-1 victory if he was concerned having not netted a competitive goal yet for his new club, Bastos replied: “No, there’s no pressure. It’s normal.
“For me, I am a central midfiel-der and not a striker. OK, if I have a chance and score, I help, but if I have no chances, what can I do?
“I don’t care about newspapers or anybody speaking about Fellipe Bastos not scoring. All I have to do is my job, train hard and play hard.
“We have (Emmanuel) Emenike, (Ryan) Babel, Amoori (Omar Abdulrahman), I defend. OK I take free-kicks and I hit the bar tonight and I have hit the post three times.
“As long as the team score, I’m happy.”
He came close to netting his first goal in the Al Ain colours, his wic-ked second half free-kick being pushed onto the crossbar.
Despite not yet finding the net, the Brazilian has been brilliant in the Boss’ midfield so far.
He has solidified the midfield alongside South Korea’s Lee
Myung-joo as the men from the Garden City have made an impressive start to the campaign, winning four and drawing one of their first six games in all competitions.
Bastos revealed that he has settled to life in the Emirates well and is eyeing plenty more silverware.
“I’m happy to be playing with the champions and I am settling in well,” said the Rio de Janeiro native.
“I will try to fight for Al Ain to take more titles. The Arabian Gulf League, the President’s Cup, the Arabian Gulf Cup. I want to win everything.”