Proud Henk ten Cate says Al Jazira 'put UAE on the map'

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  • Al Jazira did their manager proud despite losing to Real Madrid.

    Beaming with pride after pushing UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid so hard, Al Jazira boss Henk ten Cate declared his charges had “put the UAE on the map” after this slender Club World Cup defeat.

    The Arabian Gulf League leaders led for 53 inspirational minutes at Zayed Sports City after Brazilian forward Romarinho struck just before the break. Their astounding and utterly unexpected semi-final advantage could even have been doubled moments into the second half, only for the Video Assistant Referee – who had earlier denied the visiting superstars, Casemiro’s header being called off – to rule out Morocco midfielder Mbark Boussoufa’s effort for offside.

    With a sense of inevitability, goals would follow from Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Gareth Bale. Yet, the ex-Barcelona assistant could only beam when quizzed about a tie where Jazira went toe-to-toe with European football’s greatest side and did not blink.

    “In football, a lot is possible,” Ten Cate said. “But miracles only happen once in a hundred years.

    “I am really pleased with the performance of my team. Of course, they had to defend and there was space to attack.

    “The difference was too big, but I can only be so proud of my team and the time we stayed in the game.

    “Of course, we needed some luck and our goalkeeper [Khaseif] was so brilliant in the first half. I’m so sorry he got injured.

    “This is what you need on rare occasions you get to play on a stage like this.

    “Our tactics worked excellently. We had three or four really good chances.

    “We knew they’d be open and I said before, we had two strikers who can score a goal [Romarinho and Ali Mabkhout].

    “You looked in disbelief when we scored the second goal [through Boussoufa]. Time is going against you then.

    “I am very proud of my team. We did an amazing job, a small club like we are.

    “We put the UAE on the map. I think this is something special.”

    VAR had a huge influence on proceedings, with much debate and delay especially being seen with Madrid’s disallowed goal, with confusion over whether Casemiro had pushed his defender, before the referee ultimately decided Karim Benzema was offside in the buildup.

    Croatia midfielder Luka Modric admitted the system still left him “a little bit confused”.

    He said: “Some of the people didn’t like what I said, but for me, I am a little bit confused. In some aspects, it can help this technology – the VAR.

    “But today for example, you have to ask about the goal from Casemiro. They say it was offside as Karim interrupted one of the players but for me, it was not the case.

    “I don’t really want to go into details and these polemics, because things happen as they happen.”

    Madrid’s reward for victory is a place in Saturday’s final against Brazil’s Gremio at ZSC. Jazira will battle for third spot with Mexico’s Pachuca, earlier in the day.

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