Watch: Al Jazira players eye successful start to Club World Cup campaign

Sport360 staff 23:25 05/12/2017
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  • Al Jazira midfielder Mbark Boussoufa is bracing himself for a tough battle in the Abu Dhabi side’s FIFA Club World Cup (FCWC) opener against Auckland City in Al Ain on Wednesday, but is hopeful the home team will put together a solid performance.

    Despite having had a tough start to their Arabian Gulf League title defence, the Pride of Abu Dhabi now look revitalised and sit six points behind leaders Al Ain.

    But their focus must now switch to the FCWC where they are assured of much tougher challenges against the best continental sides on the globe.

    “We know we are facing a very difficult team, with some good players, so it’s gonna be very tough for us,” said the Moroccan Boussoufa in the video above, provided by by Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

    The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the FCWC UAE 2017 announced that all preparations for the tournament are complete ahead of Wednesday’s 21:00 kick-off when Al Jazira take on FCWC veterans, Auckland City, who descend on the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium to participate in the competition for a record-breaking ninth time.

    “This is a fantastic opportunity for the club, players and for the UAE,” said Al Jazira Coach, Henk ten Cate on Tuesday. “We aim to make everyone proud of the team. We hope to have a lot of support, not only from Al Jazira fans, but from every football fan in the country. We are not only playing for Al Jazira but for the UAE so we would love to see fans come down to this big game.”

    Spectators will have the exciting opportunity to watch their football heroes, such as Al Jazira’s star striker, Ali Mabkhout. The goal-machine could prove to be instrumental to his side’s quest to progress to the quarter-finals. Joining Mabkhout on the pitch is Brazilian striker and FCWC winner, Romarinho, who is confident that Al Jazira can kick-off the tournament on a winning note.

    “The team is ready and there is no reason as to why we shouldn’t progress to the second round,” said Romarinho. “I believe that Al Jazira can put on a great performance tonight and beat Auckland City. Nothing is impossible in this tournament.”

    In the next 10 days the UAE capital will welcome some of the world’s most talented football players as they take to the pitch to play eight pivotal matches. Joining Al Jazira and Auckland City FC are the most-decorated side in European football, the iconic all-whites of Real Madrid and their star-studded squad including the recently-crowned FIFA Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Real will join CONCACAF Champions League winners, C.F Pachuca from Mexico, who will face Wydad Athletic Club on Saturday, December 9 at 17:00 at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium. The winners of this match will go on to play CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, Gremio in the first semi-final on Thursday December 12 in Al Ain.

    “We are delighted to welcome seven continental champions to the UAE for what will be a marvellous celebration of football,” said, Aref Al Awani, tournament director of the LOC. “Each team has a significant role to play in the tournament and we wish each and every team and player the best of luck for their matches ahead.”

    Meanwhile, Al Jazira defender Mohamed Fawzi says he realises the level of focus and discipline his team will need to succeed and make the home crowd proud.

    “We are very proud to represent the UAE in the Club World Cup. I think every player aspires to play in this kind of Championship. We have to support our young players and my advice to them is to give their all,” said Fawzi.

    *You can follow Abu Dhabi Sports Council on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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