Braga aims to bring the pride back to Al Jazira

Abu Dhabi - Familiar setting brings fantastic memories for the coach.

It was all too familiar a setting for Abel Braga. The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium pitch, the dug-out, the tunnel, the corridors, the press conference room and some familiar faces brought back some "fantastic memories" for the Brazilian coach.
It was like he had never left. And Braga, back for a second stint, was hoping that he could bring back some more fantastic memories for the Pride of Abu Dhabi.
"I had a great three years with Al Jazira," said Braga, who guided them to their maiden and only League title in 2011. It was also the year that Al Jazira did a Cup double by winning the prestigious President's Cup. Al Jazira had also won the Etisalat Emirates Cup (now the Arabian Gulf Cup) in 2010.
Braga left soon after to his native Brazil and seven coaches came and went over the intervening four years at Al Jazira.
As Braga was engaged with Fluminense and then Internacional, Al Jazira went through a barren spell during that period. Some UAE clubs did try to tempt him when the Brazilian took a sabbatical, but when Al Jazira came calling again, Braga didn't hesitate and was more than happy to be back to what he calls 'home.' "I had developed a fantastic relationship with the club management, the players and the fans.
"I had offers from some other clubs too but when Al Jazira asked if I would be interested in coming back to the club, I didn't look anywhere else. It was an easy decision for me," he added. A lot has changed though during his absence. Braga is now 62 and the League has now been rebranded as the Arabian Gulf League from what was then called the UAE Pro-League.
The UAE top flight has become more competitive too. And Braga was aware of the challenges he faces as he plots Al Jazira's path towards silverware. "It is much more difficult now. The competition is higher than before. It also means it is a new challenge for us to overcome," Braga said. "Al Ahli and Al Ain look strong, they always have been. It is not going to be easy. We have to work harder. It is all about little details which we have to concentrate on with the players. We have to motivate the players. We will work as a team. It is about team work," added Braga.
Braga inherits a squad which still has a few familiar faces in Abdulla Mousa, Khalid Sabeel, Khamis Ismail, Yaser Matar and Ali Ahmed Mabkhout. And he was hoping that with them as well as with the new signings, he can form a crack outfit.
"I am hoping we can do it all over again. Success can be achieved only with the squad we have assembled for the new season. We have some quality players, some of them whom I know and some of the new players who had got into the first team after I left," he said.
james@khaleejtimes.com