Ten Cate has high hopes after Al Jazira win in Asian Champions League
COACH UPBEAT ON SIDE’S SHOW AFTER MORALE-BOOSTING FIRST-LEG WIN
Having stolen a crucial 3-2 win against Iran’s Persepolis riding on the injury-time winner by Khalifa Mubarak, Al Jazira coach Henk Ten Cate is already dreaming big.
The Dutchman is confident his side can build on their morale-boosting win and score “at least one away goal” and pile on the pressure on their opponent in the return leg on May 14.
“This was a team effort and this is just a small part of the biggest achievement to come. I take confidence in the fact this team can do crazy things in big games. We showed that during the Club World Cup,” said Ten Cate, who asserted that the opponents will have to play out of their skin to get across the line.
“We are going to score one goal for sure and so they will have to score more than one. So let’s wait and see,” revealed Ten Cate adding he was looking forward to playing in front of 100,000 fans in Tehran unlike the sparse crowd that they witness at home.
“Whenever we have a packed house we have come up with our best. We showed that when we had a packed stadium during the match against Real Madrid. The spirit I will bring to my players. This is the first time in the history the club has a chance to go to the quarters and we will do anything to make it possible,” said Ten Cate, who also expressed his displeasure over the re-awarded spot kick for Persepolis after goalkeeper Ali Khaseif had made a fine save.
No disputing penalty
“I’m not disputing the penalty, but I’m confused why the linesman had his flag up when the referee was in a better position to judge what happened,” said Ten Cate.
Ali Mabkhout, who walked away with the player of the match award, also hailed his teams showing, saying, “Very happy with the win and my teammates did a great job. The individual award is all good, but it was important that we won. We have a very important match in Tehran and we will be working very hard with the coach to get the best result there.”
Branko Ivankovic, the Persepolis manager, despite the loss was confident that the two away goals can come to his team’s rescue when they host Al Jazira on May 14.
“We need to win first and of course then the two away goals will come in handy for us in case the contest ends in a tie. We made a few mistakes to concede those three goals today. Obviously very disappointed with the result,” said Ivankovic.
This was a team effort and this is just a small part of the biggest achievement to come. I take confidence in the fact that this team can do crazy things in big games.” Henk Ten Cate » Al Jazira coach