ABU DHABI // They have met twice this season already and Al Jazira have clawed back on both occasions, in the Arabian Gulf League and the Arabian Gulf Cup, to salvage draws against city rivals Al Wahda.
The question is whether it will be third-time-lucky on Wednesday night when the sides meet in the President’s Cup quarter-final at the Zabeel Stadium.
Jazira manager Henk ten Cate said it is a different situation given the knockout format of the competition.
“It is about one game only,” he said. “We have good memories of this cup and the players should know winning this game gets them into the semi-finals, and then it is just one more for the final.
“We want to go there.”
Ten Cate, who is attempting to defend the President’s Cup with Jazira after they defeated Al Ain on penalties in last year’s final, said the attitude of his team will be the key to victory.
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“It will be about mentality, character, team spirit, how hard you work and how much you like to win,” he said. “I think those are the assets of our game and so we are confident but not overconfident.”
The Dutchman will miss the services of Moroccan Mbark Boussoufa, who has joined his national team preparing for the African Cup of Nations, and the injured Khalfan Mubarak.
“Of course, I’m sad because these players give the team something extra,” he said.
“The guys who will be taking their place will also be keen to show they are also players to cope with. We believe in the team and are willing to fight for each other.”
Ten Cate also justified Boussoufa’s club absence, despite him being the Abu Dhabi team’s “only playmaker”.
“He is an important player for his country as well, and I can totally understand why his national team coach didn’t allow him to play this one match,” he said. “And if I was the coach of Morocco I would tell the coach of Jazira to go and help yourself.
“It is logical as well because, if you make an exception giving Boussoufa a chance to play then every other player may want to play for their clubs.”
The Jazira manager chose not to comment on the reported acquisition of Brazilian forward Leonardo from Asian Champion League winners Jeonbuk despite reports confirming his arrival at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
“I know nothing about Leonardo, to be honest, and it is nothing about my business,” he said. “There are other people within the club who focus on this and I want to focus on the game against Wahda.
“Every good player is welcome at Jazira and this club is full of surprises so you never know.”
Wahda manager Javier Aguirre lauded his rivals smart moves in the transfer market.
“Since I’ve arrived 18 months ago, I think Jazira had eight good foreign players,” he said.
“It looks like Jazira are always looking to move in the market and it’s good for our football. It’s new faces and new expectations.”
Wahda also unveiled goalkeeper Rashid Ali, who crossed over from Al Wasl on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Al Wasl face Sharjah at Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium in Wednesday night’s other quarter-final.
On Thursday, Al Ain meet Al Nasr at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium and Emirates take on Hatta at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
President’s Cup fixtures
Wednesday
• Al Wasl v Al Sharjah, 6.25
• Al Jazira v Al Wahda, 6.25pm
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