Jucilei warns Al Jazira team-mates not to underestimate Al Wahda in AGL clash

Matt Jones - Editor 00:28 05/04/2015
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  • Jucilei is wary of Al Wahda's possible threat.

    Brazilian midfielder Jucilei has warned his Al Jazira team-mates not to underestimate Abu Dhabi neighbours Al Wahda when the two teams clash next weekend.

    The Clarets have won only one game since Sami Al Jaber took over from Jose Peseiro, who was dismissed in February. 

    Wahda were beaten 1-0 at Fujairah on Friday, which had followed their only win under the former Saudi Arabia international, a 3-0 defeat of relegation-threatened Ajman.

    Al Jaber has overseen four defeats and a draw, but Jucilei believes Wahda will be fired up for next Sunday’s game, the first of a double header against local rivals, Bani Yas to come the following Friday.

    “First of all, it’s a derby, so regardless of position we are aware Al Wahda will be a difficult game,” said the former Corinthians and Anzhi Makhachkala man. 

    “Also, we’re playing in their home. They want to get into a better position to make the AFC Champions League competition and they will be trying to do their best, especially after losing (on Friday),” he said.

    The 26-year-old admitted the Pride of Abu Dhabi struggled in their 3-0 win over Ittihad Kalba on Friday.

    “We struggled in the first half. Kalba were closing all areas and defending,” he said.

    “We discussed how to improve at half-time and, gladly, we scored the goal within the first 10 minutes and things became easier, and we scored another two goals.” 

    Jazira head coach Eric Gerets, meanwhile, has praised his UAE Under-23 youngsters who qualified for next year’s AFC U23 Championships in Qatar.

    The Belgian has said he will integrate the youngsters into the first team when he feels they are ready.

    Sultan Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Mubarak and Ahmed Rabeya were all part of the squad that defeated Yemen last Tuesday to top Group D, while Ahmed Al Attas, Sultan Al Munziri and Saif Khalfan were all in the original 28 man squad.

    “I want to congratulate my young international players because of their victory and qualification for an important tournament,” said Gerets. 

    “That’s good for them, it’s good for the country. It’s not good for me because I will miss them again for a long time, but that’s life.

    “I don’t know if I will use them, if everybody is fit, but already I have put the youngsters in. When I am sure that they have enough talent and can help the team there is no reason not to put them in the game. Maybe not all the game but maybe a certain amount is always possible. 

    “When I put them in in the past they have never let me down.”

    Attacking midfielder Mubarak, 19, said of the junior Whites’ qualification: “I think we did a good step but it’s just the first step of the qualifiers. We are ready to work more and work hard for the qualification to the Olympics in Brazil.”

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