Life is never simple when Al Jazira are involved.
A place in the 2016 AFC Champions League was earned in dramatic circumstances last night, Xavi’s Al Sadd being seen off in a shootout which followed a heart-stopping penalty miss past 90 minutes for the visitors in normal time.
Chaos is a close-friend of the Pride of Abu Dhabi, as anyone who witnessed the 2-2 draw and subsequent 5-4 triumph at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium would attest.
They must make full use of this victorious moment to kick the habit and embrace stability.
This is the least Henk ten Cate deserves. Only a now-unlikely relegation from the Arabian Gulf League would justify making the veteran Dutchman the eighth coach to depart since summer 2011 once his short term deal runs out at the end of the season.
Stability is the way forward and an extension should be forthcoming, even if Group C provides a tough experience against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Iran’s Tractor Sazi. Al Nasr proved it with Ivan Jovanovic and so have 2015 ACL finalists Al Ahli, who stuck with Cosmin Olaroiu despite a woeful domestic campaign last term.
Jazira are in the midst of their own wretched run. This wound was self-inflicted, Belgian boss Eric Gerets being recklessly jettisoned despite finishing second in favour of Abel Braga – who proved woefully out of touch upon his return to the club with whom he dominated from 2008-11.
Ten Cate is picking up the pieces. His experience from various roles at the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Chelsea is coming through, with Sunday’s trip to Al Shabab – who tasted continental elimination yesterday – an opportunity to continue the rise from ninth in the standings.
This approach should be replicated with the four-player foreign quota. The Pride of Abu Dhabi switch their allotment around with impunity, treating the transfer market like a play thing.
It was all change during pre-season, while playmaker Angel Lafita and Cardiff City loanee Kenwyne Jones – a necessary replacement for the injured Mirko Vucinic – came in last month. Brazilian playmaker Thiago Neves is yet to shine like he did at Hilal, though he should relish meeting them again once the pool action gets under way in the competition proper.
There is no doubt they should hold on to South Korea defensive midfielder Park Jong-woo. The recruit from Guangzhou R&F rattled maestro Xavi repeatedly at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, his diligence earning reward in the shootout when the former Barcelona midfielder blazed over the Qatari giants’ first effort.
Yet similar praise could have been afforded to winger Jonathan Pitroipa, who is currently excelling for third-placed Al Nasr. Argentine playmaker Manuel Lanzini is also shining on loan in the Premier League, where West Ham are close to tying up a permanent deal. Go further back and veteran striker Ricardo Oliveira has recently earned a recall to Brazilian side Santos, while Argentina midfielder Matias Delgado is captain of Swiss heavyweights FC Basel.
Ten Cate and his current troops now deserve something their predecessors weren’t afforded – patience. This is still the case even if the President’s Cup provides a early exit and they do not make the ACL knockout stages. The Jazira hierarchy will be pleasantly surprised at what follows.
