Al Jazira coach Eric Gerets admitted he was surprised by how poorly his team played in last night’s 3-0 win against Ittihad Kalba.
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Jazira won 3-0 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, but two late goals from Jonathan Pitroipa and Ali Mabkhout put a gloss on the victory neither the hosts nor their now relegated opponents deserved.
After seeing league leaders Al Ain labour to a 1-0 win against 10-man Al Ahli and third-placed Al Shabab beaten 3-1 at home by Emirates Club on Thursday, Gerets admitted his team’s performance was puzzling.
Man of the match Manuel Lanzini opened the scoring just after half-time. Late Jonathan Pitroipa and Ali Mabkhout goals sealed three points
— Matt Jones (@MattJones360) April 3, 2015
“It was a surprise, a negative surprise, but I don’t think the Al Ain result affected my players negatively,” said the Belgian. “Now we know it will be more difficult, but still not impossible.”
After the laborious victory, Gerets was quizzed as to why his team struggled to beat a team that has amassed only seven points all season.
“It was an easy game but in the end it was a very difficult game,” he said. “I think as long as you have a chance to be champions, you must at least start the game with the best 11 in your opinion.
“If this 11 are not good enough for one reason or another you change. I waited a long time to change today but when I changed at least I could see that especially Khalfan (Mubarak) did a good job.”
Kalba coach Walid Abeed thanked his players, but said his team were always struggling to breach the gulf in class between the sides.
“Congratulations to Al Jazira. Jazira have three points because they have certain talented players,” he said. “Small details and concentration made the difference. If you have players like Ali Mabkhout and Mirko Vucinic you can get the best out of the game.
“There is a difference between the levels of talent and we could not match it, but I have to say thank you to my players though. They did a great job.”
