Walter Zenga: Al Jazira and UAE star Al Khaseif is still No1 for club and country

Walter Zenga 11:58 15/03/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Khaseif was in great form for Jazira on his return to football after three months.

    This week was a great one for Al Jazira and their returning captain Ali Khaseif. They beat ailing Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli and saw their own hopes of lifting the title reignited after leaders Al Ain dropped points with a draw at Al Dhafra.

    – #Quiz360: Win group paintballing trip in Abu Dhabi

    I coached Khaseif at Jazira last season, and he is the best goalkeeper in the UAE. You can compare Khaseif to current Whites No1 Majed Nasser, as well as young prospects like Al Nasr’s Ahmed Mohamed Shambieh and Sharjah’s Mohamed Yousif.

    He was excellent against Ahli, showing no sign he had missed the last three months because of injury and national service. His gift to the Pride of Abu Dhabi is strength and power. He is their captain and a great leader and his ability was on show when he saved a penalty from international team-mate Ahmed Khalil.

    At Al Ain, rival goalkeeper Khalid Essa was on the wrong end of the goal of the week when Dhafra striker Makhete Diop scored from the half-way line. This was an incredible goal but I can tell you with all my experience from playing for Italy and Internazionale, that as a ‘keeper you know that a goal should not be conceded from that distance.

    That leaves a question mark about him. The difference between the way Essa and Khaseif performed in this round is important to the title race.

    Jazira also showed against Ahli that they have players who can find solutions. If the team is not playing well, they can solve the problem through invention and dribbling. These players are so important for a coach of a big club.

    I said last week the battle for the league is over, but things can change. The next round is crucial.

    Al Ain are ahead by four points, with their superior goal difference worth another point. Second-placed Jazira travel to Al Nasr on Sunday, and this is a very tough game for them. If they win, it can become difficult for Al Ain.

    The AFC Champions League restarts this Wednesday for Al Ain, a competition that Jazira are no longer involved in. Without the ACL, you can concentrate solely on domestic games.

    When I was in charge of Jazira last season, we had that tournament and the Arabian Gulf Cup as distractions at this time of the season. We played six ACL group stage matches and a round-of-16 double-header, plus the AGC semi-final and final. This is a big advantage for Jazira.

    You could see this with Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic having to rotate his squad against Dhafra to maintain freshness.

    We are at a very intense point. Last season, Al Wahda were free of all distractions and won their last six matches to finish second.

    Jazira have a week to prepare for every AGL match now and could go on a similar run. If they can do this, anything can happen.

    Recommended