Al Jazira return to the Asian Champions League Wednesday after last week's heavy opening defeat to Tractor Sazi. The Abu Dhabi club host the Iranians at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Tough task ahead
Jazira just about qualified for the group stage last month by defeating Qatar’s Al Sadd on penalties. However, they have been placed in one of the most difficult pools in the West, completing a Group C that comprises Tractor, Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Hilal and Uzbekistan champions Pakhtakor.
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Disappointing opener
Jazira’s campaign got off to the worst possible start in Tabriz, with early goals and several defensive errors contributing to a resounding 4-0 reverse at the Yadegar Emam Stadium. Going into the tie, Jazira had begun to show form under new coach Henk ten Cate, winning three successive Arabian Gulf League matches to climb to eighth.
Righting a wrong
At the pre-match media briefing on Tuesday, Ten Cate emphasised that his side must defend better if they are to have any chance of success in the return fixture. “Last time we played in Iran we had everything go against us: 1-0 after two minutes and 2-0 after 20 minutes; two set pieces, where we didn’t defend well. Of course, we have paid attention to this. In Sunday’s President’s Cup game, our set pieces improved a lot. It is not so easy to score against us.”
Home comforts
“Tomorrow, the circumstances are in our favour, since we are playing at home,” Ten Cate said. “At home, this Jazira team is capable of doing special things. We hope tomorrow is one of those days. It is going to be complicated as Tractor are a very strong team, a mature team, who are physically strong. We have to move the ball better than we did in Iran and not give it away so easily. This is the lesson we learnt. If you do this, we will lose; the first game proved this. But this team learns very quickly.”
Mental strength
"If you look at the Arabian Gulf League, when I started we were one off the bottom and facing relegation," Ten Cate said. "But with the self-esteem we put into the team and the confidence the players have in each other, we managed to do a good job. In the last five games here" in the UAE. "We are unbeaten and won all five; it's an amazing thing for a team who were struggling against relegation. My experience with the team these two months is that they are very good. Especially the mental side of team, it's stronger than everybody would believe."
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