Al Jazira know they must maintain the momentum against Fujairah on Thursday after picking up a first victory in two-and-a-half months last weekend.
Despite restoring morale with a 5-1 thrashing of lowly Al Shaab, now managed by former Jazira coach Walter Zenga, on Saturday, it is just one step on the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s long road to recovery after an horrendous start to the 2015-16 season.
The win was Jazira’s first in 11 games, since a derby triumph against Al Wahda on September 18, and both players and coaches are aware it will take a lot more to repair the damage done by a shoddy start to Abel Braga’s second reign.
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“Fujairah is a very important game,” said Braga at his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip north.
“I have played Fujairah twice (this season). Once in the Arabian Gulf Cup and in the summer camp in Vienna too. They are a very good team and (head coach) Ivan Hasek is a very good coach. I respect him and I like him.
“I consider it will be a very important game for us and it will be very important for us to keep the momentum going from the Al Shaab win. It is very important because it will be away so we have to focus.”
Jazira have just three wins from their opening 10 league games. In fact those are their only victories in 15 matches in all competition so far.
They are 11th in the table, one place below their opponents, but could move into the sanctuary of the top half of the AGL with victory.
Defender Juma Abdulla is adamant Jazira’s poor form has not been down to the fact they are a poor team but says it is vital they now go on a winning run.
“Always, winning will help the team get better,” said the 33-year-old.
“Our form has not been because we are bad, our team is good. Players played well but the results have not been helping us. Against Al Shaab we win. Now we need to get results and then we can enjoy our games more.”
