Al Jazira stunned by Dibba
dubai — Coach Henk ten Cate probably saw it coming. Despite the opening day win against Ajman, the Al Jazira coach was left unimpressed by the showing.
And a weekon, the Dutchman’s worst fears came true. The defending Arabian Gulf League champions were stunned 1-0 by Dibba at the Fujairah Stadium on Friday night.
It put an end to Al Jazira’s sevenmatch win streak and coming as it did against a Dibba side, who were swamped 5-0 by Al Wahda a week ago, the former FC Barcelona and Chelsea assistant coach would be a bit worried now.
True, the Pride of Abu Dhabi were shorn of their talisman Ali Ahmed Mabkhout, but that cannot be an excuse for the result as they put a decent side on the park.
But what perhaps hampered Al Jazira was the other half of their fearsome frontline Ahmed Khalil, a summer acquisition from Al Ahli (now Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), lasted just all of eight minutes.
The 2015 AFC Player of the Year was stretchered off apparently after a muscle injury with Khalil being replaced by exciting youngster Khalfan Mubarak.
And the loss of both their frontman was a factor in the bigger scheme of things. Al Jazira also came up against a rigid defence, which had tightened up following that massacre against Al Wahda. Al Jazira would also rue a plethora of missed chances as the game wore on. As Dibba logged their first points of the League, Al Jazira dropped to fifth on the table, for now. Up next for Al Jazira is a tough test at home against Al Nasr at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, next weekend.
After what was a goalless first half, Khalifa Khalifa Al Shayary slotted it home after Romarinho had failed to clear Ciel’s corner. Romarinho tried to make amends later but was denied as his header hit the cross bar. james@khaleejtimes.com