He rejects reports that Israel had agreed to end the war as part of a deal to free the hostages
mena10 hours ago
Al Jazira are locked in an intense battle with city rivals Al Wahda for the UAE Pro-League honours, but they will have to put that aside when they take on the Qatari champions in this Group A fixture, which kicks off their campaign in the AFC Champions League.
Jazira surrendered the lead to Al Wahda on February 15, going down 1-2. It was their first league defeat this season.
But they recovered from that loss and stayed in contention with a solitary goal win over inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain.
Coach Abel Braga will be without the services of defender Rashed Abdulrehman due to injury. Despite that Braga is confident that his side can put up a good show. Braga felt that his side could cope with the pressure of both the UAE Pro-League and the AFC Champions League.
Al Jazira have never won the UAE Pro-League title. “This is a very important match for us. We know it is going to be hard but my job is to try and motivate my team to try and make it to the next round.
“My team is mentally strong and can take the pressure of playing for the UAE League title as well as the AFC Champions League.
We did not have a good campaign last year and we hope we will post our first win this year,” Braga said.
About the opponents, he said: “Gharafa are a strong side. They are an organised team. But we play every game to win and this game will be no different.”
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa top their domestic league and will be tough opponents. Al Gharafa coach Caio Junior was confident ahead of the game and felt he would be pleased if they can take points off Al Jazira.
“Al Jazira are a strong side but we will not change our style of play which is to create chances to score.
“We have a good defence as well. If we get one point, it will be a good result,” Junior said.
Juninho, who won 40 caps for Brazil, will be a prominent feature for Al Gharafa. Juninho is an expert at freekicks and Al Jazira need to be wary of that. He joined Al Gharafa last year after lapping up seven titles with French club Lyon.
He rejects reports that Israel had agreed to end the war as part of a deal to free the hostages
mena10 hours ago
The reigning champions will clinch an unprecedented fourth successive English title if they win their last three matches
sports11 hours ago
Míchel Sánchez's side qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history
sports11 hours ago
The Tractor Boys finish the season on 96 points – just one fewer than champions Leicester - to go from the third tier to the first in successive seasons
sports11 hours ago
A third win in a row pushed the Bengaluru side to seventh place on the points table
sports11 hours ago
The World Food Program is one of the many humanitarian groups trying to get aid into Gaza
mena12 hours ago
In Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the Guaiba lake broke its banks, flooding streets
americas12 hours ago
Khan, 53, who became the first Muslim mayor of the British capital in 2016, has pledged to build more social housing
europe13 hours ago