Henk ten Cate promised to talk with Al Jazira striker Ali Mabkhout to ensure he is in the right frame of mind to face Sharjah on Saturday as the Arabian Gulf League returns.
Jazira host the King and Ten Cate admits he has concerns about his star man after featuring in the UAE’s 3-0 mauling at the hands of Saudi Arabia in World Cup 2018 qualifying in Jeddah on Tuesday.
“I will speak personally with Ali to help him overcome the frustration he is going through after the loss for the national team,” said the Dutchman ahead of Sharjah’s visit to the capital.
King striker Jamal Maroof, meanwhile, insists personal goals are not his main concern as he enters the game in a rich vein of form.
“For me, to get points each game and wins is my goal,” said the 24-year-old, snapped up from Emirates Club in the summer, who has scored three goals in six games for his new club.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Kwid wants Al Dhafra to take advantage of Al Wahda’s woeful start to the season and use it to their advantage when the two teams clash in the Western Region.
“My players need to exploit the plight of Al Wahda,” said the Syrian, whose team are the only side without a point in the AGL’s opening two rounds. Wahda coach Javier Aguirre, meanwhile, is concerned for his younger players’ morale after a poor start.
“The more experienced players have what it takes to deal with the conditions experienced by the team,” said the Mexican. “As for as young players, I am worried, and I constantly speak to them to relieve the pressure from them.”
