Ahead of the start to the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season, The National will preview the fortunes for each of the UAE’s 14 top-flight clubs. Here, Amith Passela looks at last season’s runners-up, Al Jazira.
Overlook
Abel Braga’s return after four seasons coaching in his native Brazil has reignited Al Jazira’s prospects of winning the Arabian Gulf League title for the second time. He led the capital club to both the league and President’s Cup titles in 2011 before deciding to leave at the end of his three-year contract.
Since his departure, Jazira have given seven coaches the chance to win a title. They finished fourth in 2012, and were twice third and runners-up in the ensuing years.
Despite leading the league with 66 goals last season, Jazira have shipped out three of their four foreign players who all played attacking roles, seemingly under the directives of Braga.
They retained the Montenegro international Mirko Vucinic, the league’s top scorer (25 goals) and winner of the AGL Foreign Player award.
Thiago Neves, the Brazilian midfielder, Jefferson Farfan, the former Schalke winger, and the Korean central midfielder Park Jong-woo are the new signings.
Jazira have signed local players to strengthen a defence that leaked 46 goals, a total exceeded only by the relegated Kalba (63) and Ajman (60).
Having been active in the transfer market and under their title-winning coach, Jazira are sure to make a big impression in the league.
Foreign quartet
Mirko Vucinic: The former Juventus striker made an immediate impact in his debut season, winning both the Golden Boot and the Arabian Gulf League’s Foreign Player award.
Thiago Neves: The Brazilian arrives with an excellent record for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. He won the Saudi league, Crown Prince’s Cup, King’s Cup, and a runners-up medal in the Asian Champions League during his two spells at the Riyadh club from 2009-2011 and 2013-2015.
Jefferson Farfan: The Peruvian international, who arrived from Germany’s Schalke, counts 63 caps for his country and is an excellent addition to the squad, known for his nimble and creative play that can help Vucinic, Neves and Emirati international Ali Mabkhout in the attack.
Park Jong-woo: The South Korean makes his debut in the region after a one-year spell at the Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F. The central midfielderhas 13 international caps.
Key Emirati players
Ali Mabkhout has been a stand-out player up front, topping the scoring charts for an Emirati player. Khamis Ismail has a pivotal role as a defensive midfielder along with veteran centre-back Basheer Saeed, Abdullah Moosa and the new signing Fares Juma to add stability at the back.
Manager
Braga’s previous experience in the AGL will be a huge asset and he has shown that he has what it takes to craft a title winning squad
The National’s verdict
Jazira have been consistent, although not successful, in the league since their first championship season, in 2011. With Braga back, they have all the tools in place to win a second championship.
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