Zenga insists only the game at hand matters

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  • One at a time: Walter Zenga.

    The impending Asian Champions League (ACL) decider at Al Ain is not distracting Al Jazira ahead of a crucial final Arabian Gulf League fixture against Sharjah, according to coach Walter Zenga.

    The capital outfit face a hectic schedule, with victory essential at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium this weekend if they are to qualify for the continent’s elite club competition next season.

    They then travel to the Garden City on Tuesday for the second leg of their round of 16 tie, following a controversial 2-1 reversal in the opener after striker Felipe Caicedo’s disallowed goal.

    Despite the importance of that meeting, Zenga insisted his side were focused solely on their next game. “We do not think about the second leg at the moment, our focus is fully on the match against Sharjah,” the Italian said.

    “All the games carry the same degree of importance, and what is important for us is to offer the best we have when the time comes, and ignore everything else and not stop fighting and running and go for a win.”

    The Asian Football Confederation are to announce their final qualification rankings in November for the ACL. Because of their superior head-to- head record, victory for Jazira and an unlikely loss for Al Wahda at bottom-placed Al Shaab would see the Pride of Abu Dhabi finish second.

    A more likely scenario sees Jazira end third, displacing Al Shabab because of their costly 1-1 draw with Bani Yas on Friday night. 

    Such a high position seemed implausible in October, when Zenga was brought in to takeover the then ailing club. 

    Saturday's other fixture sees relegated Dubai host Al Nasr who cannot finish higher than fourth because of their inferior head-to-head record against Shabab.

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