Jazira thinking big ahead of AFC Champions League tie

Martyn Thomas 10:21 18/03/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • On a roll in Asia: Al Jazira’s Abdulla Mousa (r) during the win over Al Shabab.

    Al Jazira first-team supervisor, Ayed Mabkhout, has revealed there is “no limit” to the club’s ambition in the AFC Champions League.

    The Abu Dhabi club face Esteghlal in Iran having garnered a perfect six points from two Group A games so far.

    Their hosts have won just one of their last seven matches, losing their last three including both their opening Asian ties.

    A win for Jazira would have their fans dreaming of a place in the last 16 for only the second time in the club’s history, and Mabkhout sees no reason why they can’t go further.

    He said: “There is no limit to our ambition in Asia. Now from a possible six points, we have six points and our ambition is to qualify to the round of 16. And after that, Inshallah we have the quality to play and to qualify even to the quarter or the semi-finals.”

    Jazira go into the game buoyed by their penalty shoot-out win over Al Dhafra in the semi-finals of the UAE League Cup on Saturday, a game which is sure to raise spirits during what is a hectic fixture schedule for the club.

    “Of course we are going into a difficult match in Iran, and to go after this win gives the players extra confidence,” Mabkhout added.

    “It also means they will play without pressure. When you lose a match you play with a pressure not to lose again, so this was a very important win for us to qualify for the final and we are doing very well in Asia.”

    While Ecuador international Felipe Caicedo is expected to return to lead the line for Jazira after a late appearance at Dhafra, the club’s recent success has been built on some fine displays from a number of their younger players.

    Eighteen year-old forward Ahmed Rabia has started the last three games – all wins – while there has been game time too for Salim Ali and Ahmed Al Attas.

    Mabkhout said: “We are really happy this year that we have seen the likes of Ahmed Rabia, Salim Ali, who played the last match against Shabab in Saudi, Attas, who played against Wahda and Khalfan who is injured now.

    “We have a lot of good young players and I think we have a good future with these kind of players.”

    Recommended