Henk Ten Cate believes defeat to Al Wahda saw Al Jazira relinquish their Arabian Gulf League title, as Sebastian Tagliabue moved into third place on the all-time top scorers’ list in the professional era.
A 4-2 defeat in an entertaining spectacle at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Monday night saw a seven-point gap opened up between reigning champions Jazira, in fifth, and Laurentiu Reghecampf’s Clarets, who consolidated their grip on third and went two points behind joint leaders Al Ain and Al Wasl.
And Ten Cate bluntly replied “yes” when asked if he thought the title race was over for the Pride of Abu Dhabi following a third defeat of the season.
“The difference is nine points and means you have to get one more point than your opponent. It’s almost impossible and we have to be realistic,” said Ten Cate, who added that despite possessing an injury-ravaged and fatigued squad, insisted there’s reason for optimism.
“There’s a lot to win. We play in the Super Cup on January 20 and we will be there.”
Capital city rivals Jazira and Wahda will clash again at Bani Yas Stadium in 10 days’ time in the Arabian Gulf Super Cup as the delayed spectacle between league champions Jazira and President’s Cup winners Wahda finally goes ahead.
After a packed month of football which has included reaching the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they pushed European and Spanish champions Real Madrid all the way before losing 2-1, Ten Cate fears his mentally and physically drained squad – Ali Mabkhout’s participation in defeat was his 11th match in a little over a month – are in “deep trouble”.
“Our team is in such a state that after the disappointment we can’t come back again,” added the Dutchman.
“This was the result that I was waiting for a long time. The players are not to blame. They staff are not to blame. We did an amazing job together but there comes a moment in time that it’s finished and that was today.
“This was a very big wake-up call and I hope everybody wakes up. It’s very difficult to speak about football in a situation that we’re in.
“It’s a mental reason. It’s not to do with technique. It’s difficult for me as coach to motivate the players and difficult for the players to motivate themselves. This is how it is.
“This isn’t to justify the defeat. This defeat was going to come one day or another. It could’ve been against Ajman or Hatta or whoever. But we are in a bad situation. It’s the mental state of the players which isn’t good. Right now, we’re in deep trouble. There’s no more willpower.
“The team doesn’t have the mental state to bounce back. Due to different circumstances which is beyond our control.”
