Striker Mirko Vucinic has handed Al Jazira a major boost by revealing he wants to stay in Abu Dhabi for as long as possible.
The Montenegro striker has made an astonishing start to life in the UAE capital, firing 16 goals in 12 games to comfortably lead the Arabian Gulf League’s scoring chart.
The 31-year-old arrived in the summer from Italian giants Juventus, signing a contract until 2017 and he is already proving good value for a fee of 5 million euros (Dh20.8m).
His superb haul has included hat-tricks against Emirates Club and Kalba, while he scored all four in October’s thrilling 4-3 win over Al Ain at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Today he’ll look to pick up where he left off before the winter break when Jazira host Ajman, and he will take to the pitch a man fully content in his work.
“Life is beautiful,” Vucinic told Sport360°. “I am very happy to stay in this city and this club. I hope to stay here a long time but you must ask the club. I took one decision to come here and I am happy with my decision.
“It is very good for my family, my children are now in a better situation in this country – I am very happy for this.
“And I am scoring goals so, yeah, when you score you are happy. I have managed to score regularly this year and that is pleasing.”
Vucinic has already struck up a good understanding with strike partner Ali Mabkhout and he admits to being a big fan of the 24-year-old UAE forward.
Mabkhout’s five goals at the Asian Cup in January have made him a target for European clubs and Vucinic believes he has the quality to thrive wherever his career takes him.
“Ali Mabkhout is a very, very good player and has everything. He can run fast, shoot and assist, everything; he is a special player," he said.
"I hope he can help us to win the championship this year, (but) I also think he can make it to one of Europe’s top leagues because, as I said before, he is special and has everything.”
Jazira resume league action joint-top of the table alongside Al Ain and will be red hot favourites against an Ajman side who have won just twice all season, conceding 28 goals in 13 games.
Vucinic scored his first AGL goal in a dogged 3-2 win in the reverse fixture and coach Eric Gerets remembers the game – and his side’s struggles – all too well.
The Belgian has found it difficult to remedy Jazira’s long standing defensive vulnerability but is hopeful they can tighten up as they chase a first AGL title since 2011.
Gerets said: “I remember the first game against Ajman. We won, we had the three points, but we had a lot of difficulties.
“I hope that we will take the three points (again) without difficulties but now in this game it’s important to rediscover ourselves, score goals and be better organised behind so that if we score two goals we are sure to have three points.
“It is a must that you take three points when you play at home so that is the idea we have in our mind.”
