Braga draws on the positives

The Al Jazira coach tries to lift the spirits of the team ahead of tonight's game against Al Wasl bu urging them to turn the page after the unexpected draw against Ajman.

Braga is taking confidence from their unbeaten record.

Abel Braga, the Al Jazira coach, has tried to lift the spirits of his team ahead of tonight's Pro League game against Al Wasl after an unexpected draw in their last match against Ajman. Jazira were held 1-1 by the Pro League strugglers, who had not won a point in their nine previous matches. The result allowed Al Wahda to close the gap on the leaders to two points. With memories of that match still fresh in their minds, the Abu Dhabi powerhouses, who have 26 points from 10 games, face another tough examination when they host Wasl tonight at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium (KO 8pm). Wasl are fourth in the table with 17 points.

Braga urged his players to turn the page on the Ajman game and take confidence from their unbeaten record this season. "We should not let the Ajman game distract us from our mission and hurt our self-confidence," Braga told the players. "We have played 17 official games this season, in all competitions, won 14 of them and drew three. That is a very good performance. "The important thing is to keep working hard, believe in your abilities and give your best on the pitch."

Braga is looking for his team to start the match on the front foot, adding: "Against Ajman, we did not play well in the first-half and that gave them an opportunity to impose their style and make it difficult for us in the second-half. We have been facing this problem right through the season. We play very well in the second half, but our performance in the first session is not up to the level. "So we need to focus on making strong starts and not leave the opposition with any opportunity to catch their breath. We have to make sure we do that against Al Wasl. They are a strong team and will come here high on confidence after the 5-0 win over Emirate."

In today's early match, Ajman travel to Al Shabab (KO 5.05pm), hoping the result against Jazira will prove to be a turning point in their season. The hosts will be without their influential Chilean playmaker Carlos Villanueva, who has travelled to France to see a specialist about his knee injury. If he has to undergo surgery, Villanueva will be ruled out for the season. Meanwhile, the Al Nasr striker Carlos Tenorio has been suspended for two games for butting an opponent against Al Dhafra, where he scored five goals. Nasr's next match, a home game against Wahda on Sunday, has been moved to Ajman.

The Dubai club have been penalised for their fans' recent misbehaviour - including a match against Al Ahli during which they hurled bottles and sandles at match officials - and they have to play two home matches at neutral venues behind closed doors. @Email:[e-mail]