Al Ain brace for Esperance challenge; Guadalajara ready to face Kashima
AL AIN: Al Ain made hard work of their opening FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 match, digging deep to come back from three goals down to defeat Team Wellington on penalties.
They will need to play at a higher level against Esperance in the quarter-final on Saturday if they are to continue their run.
In the opening encounter, at 5pm, AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers face CONCACAF Champions League holders CD Guadalajara in a showdown to progress to the competition’s semi-final stage.
At stake is a glamour tie against UEFA Champions League historymakers Real Madrid, who are aiming to become the first team to win three consecutive FIFA Club World Cup titles, on Wednesday, Dec.19 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
Zoran Mamic’s side may have narrowly avoided an early exit but the match took a major physical and mental toll on the Al Ain players, who after 120 minutes of action must regroup with just three days’ rest.
Back at their Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain host the champions of Africa with a spot in the semifinal against Copa Libertadores winners River Plate awaiting the winners.
With a glamour semi-final against River Plate lying in wait, Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic is not looking beyond his side’s second round opponents.
“I have always said there is only one game at a time,” said Mamic. “Of course, the fans have a big expectation, but we have to be real. This tournament as the teams that won the Copa Libertadores in South America, the European Champions League, the North American, African and Asian Champions Leagues, it’s not easy.
As the host team, we have luck to play in this tournament, so we have to enjoy it and represent the country and the club in the best possible way,” he added.
Ahead of their tournament bow, Esperance Moin Chaabani is optimistic that thousands of travelling Esperance fans can help his side settle quickly at
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
“It is an honour to play in such an important competition and Al Ain will be difficult for us, they showed great character in the first match. It is not easy to be down by three goals and come-back to win. We have to be cautious. Al Ain are at home, but we know lots of our fans have travelled and we hope Tunisian residents from the UAE and neighbouring countries also come and give massive support for the team. Fans can be the twelfth man – but perhaps they will be our number nine against Al Ain and help us score goals,” said Chaabani.
While Al Ain’s spirit was widely praised after the first game, their defending was, and is, a major cause for concern.
Their backline has looked particularly porous in recent weeks and with Esperance possessing significantly more attacking quality than semi-pro Wellington, it is an issue that urgently needs addressing.
Mamic also needs to think about plugging the hole left by Mohamed Abdulrahman’s suspension, though he is expected to welcome top scorer Marcus Berg back into the starting line-up after a fever kept him on the bench against Wellington.
Berg and his teammates were cheered on by a 15,000 strong Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday; with two quarter-finals taking place at the ground on Saturday, an even more substantial crowd is expected.
WE ARE READY: CARDOZO
Having taken the managerial hot-seat following Chivas’ qualification for the FIFA Club World
Cup UAE, CD Guadalajara coach Jose Cardozo believes his side – which comprises only Mexican players – is ready.
“It’s a pleasure to be here in Al Ain,” said Cardoza. “It is a huge responsibility to compete at this level and the team is ready. We must do what we know: attack, keep possession – we will not change what we know. We have worked a lot on our tactics to match the dynamic Kashima team. We are peaceful and calm. This is our moment of truth – we start our dream.”
Cardoza’s opponent, Kashima Antlers manager Go Oiwa, who was part of the Japanese team’s coaching set-up when they were beaten finalists at the FIFA Club World Cup 2016, insisted his team are ready to attack bravely and stage another impressive run this year.