Jamal's journey from Man City to Jazira

Matt Jones - Editor 17:37 16/08/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Jamal in action for Jazira.

    Mohamed Jamal isn’t your typical Emirati footballer making a living in the Arabian Gulf League. The 22-year-old is talented, but that’s where the similarities with his compatriots end.

    Jamal grew up at Al Jazira and was one of a number of promising UAE players who spent time abroad in England with Manchester City as a teenager. However, other things then took precedence for the midfielder, who has only just completed his first season of senior football.

    He went to college in America, studying mechanical engineering in Arizona, but eventually returned home. A semester was spent at one of the Emirates’ Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), before the Pride of Abu Dhabi came calling earlier this season.

    Jamal only played 18 games but stood out once Henk ten Cate unleashed him for his AGL debut in February. He scored the decisive penalty in May’s President’s Cup final shootout victory against Al Ain, and has faith victory can act as the catalyst for a resurgence.

    “I hope the President’s Cup win is a springboard,” said Jamal, whose penalty put Jazira 6-5 up at Zayed Sports City Stadium, with victory assured when UAE international centre-back Mohanad Salem missed the following spot-kick.

    “Last season everyone knows Al Jazira had the worst season. I don’t know what happened.

    “It was crazy and we thank God we won [the final]. If you play with fighters and spirit you’re going to win. It was a final, so you don’t need players to play fantastic, you just need to win and it’s fantastic.

    “I’m proud of myself. I’m proud of the team, everyone, the club, the fans, and what we achieved. A first final for me and probably for most of the players too.”

    Prior to February, Jamal only made five Arabian Gulf Cup outings. By the end of the season he had featured in four different competitions, including playing two AFC Champions League games.

    His return home was supposed to be brief. He had intentions to head back overseas, but plans have now changed.

    “It was my first year in the first team. I just came back from America where I was studying, started playing for the under-21s and they qualified me for the first team,” added Jamal. “I was in Arizona, trying to complete my studies, but had some issues so came back.

    “I grew up in Al Jazira, things didn’t work out [in America], so I came back. I studied there [at HCT] for a
    semester and went back for football until I found another university so I could go back to study abroad. But Al Jazira told me to come to training, and now I’m here to stay.”

    A campaign that promised so much following 2014/15’s second-place AGL finish proved disastrous for Jazira, who followed up by limping home seventh.

    President’s Cup glory brought the club a first trophy in four seasons, however, and Jamal is content after ending an otherwise-dour campaign on a high.

    “We should be proud of ourselves. We achieved something people dream about. It’s almost as important as the league and hopefully it leads to bigger and better next season,” he said.

    “We’re going to work hard and keep doing so until we win the league. It’s only the start and hopefully there’s more to come.”

    Recommended