Into the lion’s den they go.
In what condition Al Jazira come out of Saturday night’s first-round decider at minted Al Nassr in the – newly-renamed – Zayed Club Champions Cup will define what is to come.
Expectations will be tempered after a swashbuckling start if left bloodied and bruised by premium summer buys such as prolific Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa, Morocco winger Nordin Amrabat and Brazil playmaker Guiliano. But if a 2-1 first-leg deficit can be reversed in Riyadh’s imposing King Fahd Stadium, then ambition abounds.
The summer installation of ex-Ajax coach Marcel Keizer has brought a welcome return to the freewheeling football of old. A grand tally of 15 goals have been scored in just four unbeaten Arabian Gulf League matches – just six were notched in the same period for 2017/18.
Rejuvenated playmaker Khalfan Mubarak has a remarkable seven assists, while striker Ali Mabkhout tops the nascent scoring charts with six goals.
A clean sheet remains elusive, but these are the quirks we’ve come to expect from UAE football’s, historically, great entertainers.
Keizer’s faith in young footballers and attacking instincts have made him an astute successor to iconic countryman, Henk ten Cate – arguably Jazira’s greatest servant after 2016/17’s shock Arabian Gulf League-triumph and narrow 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the 2017 Club World Cup’s semi-finals.
Thursday’s 4-1 dismantling of Ajman saw the this term’s vintage at their best. Last term’s Nassr loanee Leonardo produced a trademark rocket, rapier Ghanaian winger Ernest Asante made it three goals from five games, Mubarak doubled up with assists and Mabkhout effortlessly danced past the goalkeeper for the opener.
⏮️ مباراة #فخر_ابوظبي القادمة:
— نادي الجزيرة (@AlJazira_uae) September 26, 2018
⚽️ #النصر_الجزيرة
🏆 #كأس_زايد_للأندية_الأبطال
🏟️ ملعب الأمير فيصل بن فهد - الرياض 🇸🇦
📆 السبت 29 سبتمبر
🕤 ركلة البداية: 09:30م بتوقيت الإمارات
📺 أبوظبي الرياضية المفتوحة pic.twitter.com/cF0FDycoZr
In support, centre midfielders Mohamed Jamal and Cameroon international Sebastien Siani continue to provide an enviable platform. UAE goalkeeper Ali Khaseif also remained sharp.
These partnerships with be tested at the iconic, 62,685-capacity King Fahd that holds recast tenants with a 100-per-cent record in the Saudi Professional League.
An enlightening evening awaits for the ‘Jazawi’ (Jazira fans).
