Al Jazira comes first for Asian Cup Golden Boot winner Ali Mabkhout

Matt Jones - Editor 09:38 03/02/2015
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  • Do it for your club: Al Jazira coach Eric Gerets expects Ali Mabkhout to replicate his stunning UAE form in the Arabian Gulf League.

    Coach Eric Gerets has told striker Ali Mabkhout to fire Al Jazira to the Arabian Gulf League title before he thinks about a move to Europe.

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    UAE star Mabkhout is back at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium after a goal-laden stint with the national team where he won the Golden Boot at both the Gulf Cup of Nations and January’s Asian Cup in Australia. His five strikes Down Under helped the Whites to a superb third-place finish and also alerted a host of clubs to his goalscoring talents.

    After the tournament Mabkhout revealed a Bundesliga team had been in touch and spoke again of his desire to move to Europe. 

    But Gerets, whose side host Ajman tomorrow, insists any such move will only happen at the end of the season, and challenged the 24-year-old to continue his rich vein of form in Al Jazira’s colours. 

    The Belgian said: “The only thing I can say about Ali is that he is full of quality.  But he needs to show it every game with Jazira and then at the end of the season we will see if there are teams in Europe that are interested in him. 

    “At this moment I cannot tell you. The only thing I can tell you is that I am proud of him for scoring all those goals for the national team. 

    “That means he is an extremely talented young football player.

    “I don’t know if he has propositions from Europe. I didn’t personally hear anything. What concerns me are his performances. His statistics for the games and goals with national team – I am impressed. 

    “He knows me very well and he knows I am a coach who is not satisfied with half (measures). He knows he has a big responsibility on his shoulders.  The fact he was scoring all these goals in these two tournaments means he has a big responsibility on his shoulders in the second round (of the AGL), because I will not be satisfied with less than 100 per cent.  He showed in all these games with the national side that he is able to give 100 per cent, so that’s what I want from him. 

    “I want him to be an example for Al Jazira and Emirati football, just like his colleague in the national team from Al Ahli (Ahmed Khalil).

    “I ask him to do the same for Jazira and then I will be more than happy.”

    Mabkhout yesterday repeated his desire to move on, but added that he is willing to bide his time and ensure he does so with Jazira’s blessing. “I said before and after the tournament that my ambition is to go to Europe and I still want that,” he explained. “I’m still waiting for the right time with the club. 

    “I have given my pre-approval to the club and they are also helping me with this. And when it becomes the right time to move, I will move.” Mabkhout added that his Asian Cup Golden Boot has helped take his confidence to another level. 

    “I was happy to get this award but I was also looking to work for the team for the majority. We reached this level and this award will help us and help me personally to be motivated in the future,” he said.

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