Al Jazira coach Walter Zenga has defended goalkeeper Ali Khaseif in the wake of his side’s 4-4 draw with Abu Dhabi neighbours Al Wahda.
Jazira led 3-0 at half-time and 4-2 in the Abu Dhabi derby before succumbing to Eisa Santo’s injury-time header after their visitors had been reduced to 10 men.
Zenga admitted his side had made mistakes in the game, but blamed mental fatigue following a run of four games in 11 days rather than individual errors. And when questioned about the UAE No1 – who has conceded nine goals in those four matches – he launched a staunch defence of his custodian.
“Ali saved two penalties [against Al Dhafra] to give us the League Cup final, another time Ali made a great save and permitted us to draw in Tehran [versus Esteghlal],” Zenga said.
However, the former Italy international goalkeeper admitted that he was planning to give Khaseif a rest in Jazira’s next game, against Al Nasr on Thursday. Back-up keeper Khaled Al Senaani, who kept a clean sheet in his last appearance against Wahda in the League Cup, is set to play at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
Senaani, who spent last season on loan at Al Dhafra, would have played in the League Cup semi-final against his former club had he not picked up a slight injury while training in Saudi Arabia, following Al Jazira’s 3-1 AFC Champions League win over Al Shabab a fortnight ago.
“Next game already I have the idea to play Senaani,” Zenga added. “Just in my mind the next game, the fifth game in 15 days, the idea was to play Senaani against Al Nasr in Nasr Stadium.
“Senaani is going to play the next game in Nasr’s stadium, not because of the mistakes of the keeper (Khaseif ) but just already it was in the programme that there will be a change.”
Meanwhile, Wahda coach Jose Peseiro has told his side to believe in themselves more after second-half heroics at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Wahda have lost just once in their last 13 Arabian Gulf League games, but currently languish sixth having been guilty of drawing too many matches this season.
“I said to my players, when my team plays like a team together they can beat anyone,” he said. “Without organisation, without demand, we can lose against anyone also.”
Peseiro added: “When I say we played very bad, it’s my responsibility because I didn’t do something well and give my team focus, or good organisation, but that is football.”
