Scoring boots will need to be filled at both ends on Wednesday when ailing Arabian Gulf League champions Al Jazira travel to an Al Wasl side desperate to get their own title bid back on track.
Reigning top scorer Ali Mabkhout will miss the trip to Zabeel Stadium with the Pride of Abu Dhabi after an appeal was rejected on Sunday against the controversial four-match domestic ban accrued on UAE duty for breaking curfew. Their opponents will need to manage both the psychological damage incurred during the epic 4-3 defeat last time out at second-placed Al Wahda, plus the absence of 12-goal Brazilian striker Caio Canedo through a suspension of his own.
Speaking before the clash, Jazira assistant coach Harry Decheiver was intrigued to see how the situation would play out.
He said: “Our physical and mental readiness for this important and difficult meeting in the league is key as Ali Mabkhout will be absent from the match because of the suspension issued by the UAE Football Association.
“The absence of Caio will certainly affect them, but the situation is similar to Jazira. There will be no advantage for either team at the expense of the other in this area.
“Overall, the team’s attack includes players like Ahmed Al Attas and Zayed Al Ameri. We have confidence in their ability to compensate.”
Burgeoning UAE prospect Al Attas, 22, is most likely to lead the line. His tally of five goals in 10 AGL games is already the best of his nascent career.
Jazira stormed to the top-flight crown in 2017/18, but Yasser Al Juneibi’s stunning own goal – which has gone viral across the globe – helped end a four-match winless streak last time out against bottom-placed Al Dhafra.
Meanwhile, Moroccan forward Mourad Batna has declared championship chasers Wahda cannot spare struggling Hatta.
Ahead of the #AGLeague clash between @AlWaslSC and @AlJazira_uae, we shine the spotlight on Ronaldo Mendes... pic.twitter.com/EAkOEDj0OG
— Sport360° (@Sport360) February 6, 2018
The Clarets survived two red cards and an injury-time penalty to edge their classic meeting with Wasl. A different challenge will be poised by Hatta, for whom a fine 3-1 win at Sharjah last week saw them edge away from the drop zone.
“We have to focus during the meeting, record as many goals as possible and not squander any opportunities,” said Batna.
A fourth win in a row will put Wahda top, ahead of Al Ain’s match against Emirates Club on Thursday.
