'We need three buses vs Real Madrid, Mourinho can bring two': Al Jazira coach

Matt Jones - Editor 20:04 12/12/2017
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  • A lot of Al Jazira’s younger players are staunch Real Madrid fans who love playing with their idols on popular computer game FIFA – on Wednesday they get to come up against them on a real pitch instead of a pixilated one.

    Rather than control the likes of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale on a console aboard the team bus on trips to away games, Jazira’s players get to test themselves against Los Blancos in a FIFA World Club Cup semi-final.

    Pride of Abu Dhabi coach Henk ten Cate says it will be a “life-changing” experience for his Arabian Gulf League champions.

    “If you look up to big players, we watch every day the Spanish, German and English leagues, now you are facing someone like Cristiano Ronaldo who has won five Golden Balls,” said Dutchman Ten Cate, who led his team to this point after a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory against champions of Asia, Urawa Red Diamonds, on Saturday.

    “And now you are standing next to him in the tunnel to enter the field to play a game against him. I can only imagine what that means to those boys. They are super motivated, I hope they are not too nervous, it’s going to be alright I think.

    “We don’t need to motivate the players, especially the young ones. They play PlayStation on the bus when we go to away games and a lot of them support Madrid, so they know all the players.

    Real Madrid'

    “It’s kind of funny as the same boys playing the PlayStation on the bus are tomorrow facing the real stars. It’s really for them probably a life-changing situation.”

    Few gave Jazira any hope of beating AFC Champions League winners Urawa at Zayed Sports City Stadium in the last eight encounter. Fewer still believe they have any hope whatsoever of victory at the same venue on Wednesday night against the reigning Spanish, European and world champions.

    But former Barcelona assistant Ten Cate was all smiles at Tuesday’s press conference, joking with reporters that his side will need to park three buses in front of their goal to stand any chance of victory and reaching Saturday’s final.

    “We need three buses. Maybe (Jose) Mourinho can come by and stick two more buses in front of our goal,” laughed Ten Cate, who celebrated his 63rd birthday on the same day as the Urawa triumph.

    “Dreaming is OK, but you must not become stupid, you must be realistic. And if you are realistic, the chances of winning are not really big. The difference in quality is just too huge. But my team will fight, like they did before, they will fight until the bitter end.”

    Ten Cate has also enjoyed coaching spells at Premier League Chelsea and Dutch giants Ajax in his homeland. But he ranks taking Jazira to the Club World Cup last four as among his highest achievements.

    “Being here with Al Jazira is probably my biggest thing I did,” he said.

    “In the semi-finals of the Club World Cup with a team from the UAE, it is something you almost cannot imagine. We are here and we are proud to be here.

    “It’s a big surprise that we are sitting here. Nobody expected it. We only believed in it and dreamt of it so it’s a big thing for us. Playing against a big club is going to be something special for all of us.

    “I think our achievement puts the country, UAE football, on the map. Achieving what we have will help give UAE football a boost.” 

    Rumours have circulated prior to the game that Jazira’s matchwinner against Urawa, the lethal Ali Mabkhout, will miss the tantalising clash having picked up a knock in Saturday’s game. But Ten Cate was remaining tight-lipped about his team selection.

    “With some others we still don’t know, we have a last test today or tomorrow to see who’s available,” he said.

    “We have some injuries and a few more after the last match. But the medical staff are doing everything they can, working really hard to get everyone on the field tomorrow.”

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