End results matter says Jazira coach Luis Milla

The Al Jazira coach remains unperturbed with shaky start to the season

ABU DHABI // Luis Milla says his work should be evaluated at the end of the season, rather than the beginning, as he prepares Al Jazira for an away meeting with Al Shabab tonight at the Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium.

“It is too early in the season to judge the performances of the team. What matter to me is the end result,” said the Spaniard, who succeeded Paulo Bonamigo last March.

Milla has been given a vote of confidence from the club management after an unimpressive 2-1 opening day win at Al Shaab, which was followed by a 3-2 home loss to Al Wasl, when they played with nine men for more than an hour.

The Spaniard said he is not worried by his side’s start to the campaign.

“The bar has been raised this season with many teams signing some high-profile players,” he said. “Almost every team has the chance to finish in a good position and it is good for the UAE league. I can say Jazira is one of those teams, for sure.”

While unperturbed by their form in the past two games, Milla acknowledged that Shabab, who have enjoyed a 100 per cent winning start to the season, will make them tough opponents.

“They have changed a few players but their philosophy of playing has been the same,” he said.

“They are a physical team with fast play up front. They are very well-positioned on the pitch. Having said that, we too have quality and we are going to compete.”

Jazira will be without the suspended defenders Shin Hyung-min and Abdullah Mousa, who both saw red against Wasl, while the Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez has been ruled out for three weeks with a knee injury he suffered against Wasl.