Thiago Neves eager to make it count

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Thiago Neves celebrates with teammates after scoring in a previous league in the Gulf.
Thiago Neves celebrates with teammates after scoring in a previous league in the Gulf.

Abu Dhabi - The two sides meet at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday night and it represents the second Derby fixture for the Al Jazira playmaker.

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Published: Fri 18 Sep 2015, 9:34 AM

Last updated: Fri 18 Sep 2015, 11:36 AM

Thiago Neves is ea-ger to make it coun t when Al Jazira face off against Al Wahda in a Capital Derby of the Arabian Gulf League.
The two sides meet at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday night and it represents the second Derby fixture for the Al Jazira playmaker.
The 30-year-old, signed from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, in the summer, featured in his first Derby against Al Ain in the Arabian Gulf Cup. And the Brazilian came up with an assist for Mirko Vucinic before adding one himself as Al Jazira ran up a two-goal lead. But Al Ain bounced back to equalise and take a point from the fixture.
The international wasn't happy with how that panned out and was hoping to taste victory in the Derby against Al Wahda on the morrow.
"I am ready and motivated for my second Derby match in the Al Jazira shirt. In the last game against Al Ain, I created one for Mirko (Vucinic) and I scored a goal, but I wasn't happy because we didn't get the three points. I will be very glad and satisfied if we beat Al Wahda even if I didn't score, because what matters the most for me is seeing my team winning and collecting full points," said Neves.
And Neves hoped that the three points gained will help them close the gap in the League table.
"The Derby is important for the teams, and especially for the fans. And we will do our best to celebrate with our supporters on Friday night. We also need the three points from this match because we have to get closer to the top teams in the League table. Al Jazira is aiming only for titles and glory, and the normal position is on top. So, we have to fight to be on top," he said.
Meanwhile, Al Wahda's Sebastian Tagliabue called on his teammates to put in extra effort against Al Jazira.
The Argentine striker has been a prolific scorer every since he joined them in the 2013 season. But he said that team work was vital if they are to overcome the obstacles along their path.
"The game of football is a team game and does not rely on one player. We have to put the loss against Al Shabab behind us and redouble our focus on the Derby against Al Jazira. It is not going to be an easy game and we have to double our efforts against a strong team like Al Jazira," said Tagliabue.
james@khaleejtimes.com


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