Al Jazira will play for UAE vs Real Madrid at Club World Cup, says Mabkhout

Matt Jones - Editor 00:25 10/12/2017
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  • Ali Mabkhout insists victory against the champions of Asia and a dream FIFA Club World Cup semi-final tie with Real Madrid was achieved because Al Jazira did not pay any attention to Los Blancos.

    Lethal Mabkhout, the Arabian Gulf League’s deadliest marksman who scored a league-leading 33 goals in 25 games last season, notched arguably the biggest goal of his career as the Pride of Abu Dhabi defeated Urawa Red Diamonds last night – setting up a mouthwatering clash in the Club World Cup last four on Wednesday with European champions Madrid.

    And the UAE striker said he and his teammates focused all their energy on Urawa rather than daydream about taking on Zinedine Zidane’s side.

    “If we had started thinking about Real Madrid before this game, we would have lost,” said the 27-year-old.

    “So we had to show respect to the champions of Asia. They are a strong team so we respect them. This is why we won.

    “We believe in ourselves and we respect Urawa. But it does not mean we can’t win. We believe and we play very strong and we are also lucky at some points.”

    The prolific Mabkhout scored the only goal of the game at Zayed Sports City Stadium seven minutes after the break as Jazira bravely held on for a richly deserved victory.

    And Mabkhout added: “I’m so happy to score in a big important win and we get to play against Real Madrid. It’s a big victory for us and we hope we play well against Madrid.”

    Few gave Jazira hope of victory against Urawa. Even fewer will give them a chance of beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Co, but Mabkhout believes Jazira carry the hopes of a nation, rather than one club, on their shoulders.

    Al Jazira beat Urawa Reds by 1-0

    Al Jazira beat Urawa Reds by 1-0

    “It’s good for the country. We don’t just play as Jazira now, we play for the UAE,” he said.

    “We did not want to think about Madrid but now we can. We know they are one of the best teams in the world and this is an incentive for all the players.”

    Mabkhout had a relatively quiet game up until his goal, his touch deserting him when presented with an earlier opportunity. Yet Jazira coach Henk ten Cate claims his natural ability always makes him a threat.

    “This guy so good he will always find a moment and find a position to score, and he did so,” said the Dutchman, who celebrated a glorious win on his 63rd birthday.

    “The celebrations (on the pitch at the final whistle) were because of my birthday, I am normally not like this. My family is home so we will go and celebrate my birthday now.”

    Former Ajax coach and Chelsea and Barcelona assistant Ten Cate expressed pride in his players, who he said had made the whole country proud.

    “Everybody should be proud of this team because they have made the country proud,” he added.

    “We are a team that is very difficult to beat and we will fight until the last minute. Urawa had more possession than us but we have a good spirit, a fighting spirit, willpower, and I am proud of them.”

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