ABU DHABI // Al Jazira manager Henk ten Cate has said winning the Arabian Gulf League is the “beginning of an era” at the Mohammed bin Zayed stadium.
Having secured the title following last week’s 5-0 thrashing of Hatta with two games still to play, Ten Cate’s men have now set their target on breaking the points and wins records.
No team has ever won 22 games since the UAE football league turned professional in 2008. Jazira can achieve that feat if they beat Al Nasr on Wednesday night at home and Al Dhafra next week.
Jazira are on 62 points, 10 clear of their closest challengers, and recently-deposed champions, Al Ahli. The Abu Dhabi club lead the league in most goals scored, 67, and least conceded with 15.
“This team have a target,” Ten Cate said. “This team wants to write history, and if you want to write history, you should do and give everything you have. This is what we are going to do.
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“This is what we want. And this is what the players want. And I’m going to help the players to achieve that.”
To accomplish their new objective, Ten Cate has a full squad at his disposal.
“This team have proved to be a very professional,” said the Dutchman, who took charge of Jazira when they were battling relegation 16 months ago. They finished last season seventh in the league and won the President’s Cup.
“We were building a team and are still building. The league title is not the end. It is the beginning of an Al Jazira era in football.”
Aside from the record, Ten Cate wants to see his players win as many individual trophies as possible at the end of the season awards ceremony.
“We have a goalkeeper (Ali Kasheif) who is in the race for the Best Goalkeeper’s award, and a striker (Ali Mabkhout) who is already the top scorer and in line for the Player of the Year award,” Ten Cate said.
“I still insist them to raise their levels in every game, including the remaining two in the league. Also, the strength of this team is that we help each other. This is what we want in the team.”
Meanwhile, Emirates travel to Baniyas in an intriguing clash between the two basement teams.
Defeat or a draw for Baniyas will all but relegate them with a game left. However, a win for Baniyas would only provide brief respite, with at least a draw needed when they visit Ahli on the last day of the season.
Baniyas manager Abdulwahab Abdulqadir said they will fight to the end to keep their hopes alive in the AGL.
“First, we must win our next game against Emirates,” the Iraqi said. “We are not thinking anything beyond that.
“Emirates are also in the same situation as us and they will come all out to win as well. This game is like a play-off for both teams.
“They are a dangerous side with some quality players, particularly in attack with Murad Batna and Sebastian Sacha.
“Our team is not without quality. They have been a bit unlucky in the last three games (draws against Sharjah, Kalba and Nasr). If we have to be successful in this game, we must be able to take every opportunity that comes our way.”
The good news for Baniyas is Australian midfielder Mark Milligan is back from injury for his first game in nearly two months.
“We want to have our best players for this game and Mark’s return will strengthen the midfield,” Abdulqadir said.
In the other games, Ahli travel to Kalba, another team battling relegation, Al Wahda are at home to Dibba, the fourth team trying to avoid the drop, and Al Ain travel to Sharjah.
apassela@thenational.ae
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