AL JAZIRA HEAD COACH HERTOG BACKS PLAYERS AHEAD OF DIBBA CLASH
ABU DHABI — Al Jazira coach Damien Hertog says his team are more than capable of maintaining their recent momentum when they face Dibba in Friday’s Arabian Gulf League clash.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi welcome bottom-placed Dibba to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium with the hosts looking to secure their third consecutive victory in the competition.
Hertog has been pleased with his side’s recent form and is confident his players will again excel and claim another three points.
“We got a very good result last week (4-2 win) against Ittihad Kalba in difficult conditions, which was a second straight victory and we want to continue this winning streak against Dibba,” Hertog said in his prematch press conference.
“Winning games gives the whole squad confidence which is very important in football. We have played some excellent football, creating a lot of chances and scoring goals. But we want to keep on improving as a team and raise our performances. The players are keen to get more good results and I am confident they can continue their good form and get the three points against Dibba.”
Although Dibba is bottom of the standings, they have won two of their last three matches and Hertog insists his team cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
“Dibba will not be an easy match at all,” he said. “They have won a couple of games now so they will be confident. We will have to play our best football against them.”
Al Jazira will be without topscorer Ali Mabkhout through suspension, as well as Ahmed Rabia, Adel Abubakr and Khalfan Mubarak, who are all injured. Mabkhout has been prolific with 19 goals this season but Hertog believes there is plenty of firepower to deal with his absence.
“Ali Mabkhout is an experienced player who is the topscorer in the league and anyone of that quality will be missed,” said the Dutchman. “But we have missed many key players before and this is a great challenge for other players to step up and show their attacking qualities by contributing with goals.”