AL JAZIRA PIN HOPES ON YOUNG GUNS
With injury to key players, the onus is on Al Jazira’s young guns to come good as they step out against AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds in the quarterfinals of the Fifa Club World Cup on Saturday night.
And making a statement of intent, Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate walked into the pre-match press conference on Friday with 20-year-old Mohammed Al Attas. The Dutchman has transformed Al Jazira’s fortunes by investing time and energy on the youth brigade. He has given enough confidence and belief to school kids and amateurs to think high and achieve any set target.
By giving a chance to youngsters in the opening match of the tournament, Ten Cate has infused more positive energy into Al Attas and other new students of the game to shoulder the responsibility of tackling the threatening firepower of Urawa Red Diamonds.
Also at stake is a dream semifinal date with Spanish kings Real Madrid. The pressure on young minds can’t get bigger and Ten Cate is aware of that.
The Arabian Gulf League champions will need Al Attas and teenagers like Eisa Al Otaibah to stand tall with experienced Fares Juma against a Japanese attack led by Shinzo Koroki and Rafael Silva. It does help when Al Jazira captain and custodian Ali Khaseif is in tremendous form as last line of defence.
The Capital club will also pin their hopes on their Brazilian star Romarinho, who scored the winner against Auckland in the tournament opener.
And Ten Cate has promised the best performance against Urawa.
“We have benefitted from the mistakes in the playoffs. We have become more confident and experienced. We are ready to give our best performance in the match,” he said referring to the lack of guts and confidence in youngsters when thrown into the frying pan of Club World Cup.
The outing has helped youngster to blossom and gain confidence. “Urawa with a mix of foreign and local players forms a special unit. We expect a tough game but we have the confidence needed to provide the best possible performance. The morale of the players is high.”
The coach hoped for a packed stadium. “We need their support. We are playing in home town and hopefully a lot more people will come.” Al Attas has assured the players are ready for the grind.
“We expect a tough match. We know our duties. We are confident and will give a good fight.”
The players are all hoping to gift Ten Cate a win as birthday present. And the coach too is keeping fingers crossed.
“If we win, it will be the best birthday gift ever. In football, everything is possible,” he added. Meanwhile, Urawa Red Diamonds will be heavily dependent on the strikers for early goals.
If Shinzo Koroki has scored 20 goals in the J League, Rafael Silva has 12 to be on the top-scorers list. In AFC Champions League, Urawa has netted 30 times – four more than Shanghai SIPG. Silva led the charts with nine goals.
“It’s a great honour to play in the tournament. We managed to get here though a great collective work and effort. And we’re proud to represent Japan here,” Silva said.
It will be a tough act for Al Jazira but a win will change the dynamics of the UAE football. There’s lots at stake and time for youngsters to stand up and be counted.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com