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Jazira lock horns with Al Wasl
ABU DHABI - The cat-and-mouse game for the League lead continues this weekend with the top two teams locking horns in what is a mouth-watering prospect. Dubai’s Al Wasl, who lead the table, go head-to-head against the ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ Al Jazira in Week 7 of the Etisalat UAE Pro-League at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday night.
Al Wasl, coached by Sergio Farias, who led Korean club Pohang Steelers to a third place finish in the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi last year, top the standings with 15 points, just a point ahead of Al Jazira.
Al Wasl have won five and lost one, the loss coming against neighbours Al Ahli. On the other hand, Al Jazira are unbeaten in the League, with only two draws—against defending champions Al Wahda and former champions Al Ahli — dotting their impressive run this season.
But Jazira manager Abel Braga is taking nothing for granted and reckoned that this could be their toughest test yet. “We are playing against the best team in the League. Al Wasl top the League at the moment. They have retained their players from last season. I don’t want to put pressure on my players but this match is going to be difficult for us,” Braga said and added: “We always study our opponents and Al Wasl are a strong team. They are especially dangerous on counter-attacks.”
Braga said that the fact that Al Wasl also rely a lot on their midfield backing their defence up, would make things tough for his side. “Their midfielders back the defence very well. They have a good striker in Alexander Oliviera and he is their trump card. He could take advantage of any mistakes that we make,” he said.
The Brazilian said that Wasl’s Spanish midfielder could pose a threat to his team. “Midfielder Javier Yeste has played a major role for Al Wasl. He will be a threat for us and I hope my players are aware of him too,” said Braga.
Braga refused to get drawn into a challenge between the two Brazilian coaches. “Sergio is my friend and I don’t challenge my friends. Even if we do win against Al Wasl, it will be a victory for the team and not individuals,” he said.
Braga said that his midfield has a lot of work to do. “We have good players who can supply crosses but they haven’t been successful for a while now and we are working on that,” Braga said.
He defended his strikers Bare and Tony, who have been going through a dry run. “We are ready to face Al Wasl. Subait Khater is back in the line-up. Hilal Saeed convinced us in the previous game. Bare and Tony have not scored in the League until now. But both of them are good and I believe they will fire soon. The thing is other players from other teams are particularly focussing on these two. This actually gives a chance for our other players to score,” he said added: “I will make one change to the line-up but I cannot reveal that now.”
In other games on Friday, Al Ain take on Al Dhafra, while Al Shabab meet Ittihad Kalba, both being early starts at 5.05 p.m. The Al Jazira-Al Wasl game kicks-off at 8 p.m.
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