Al Jazira to go for Cup opener win: Streppel

Abu Dhabi: Despite the absence of three key players, Al Jazira coach Jurgen Streppel said his side will adopt an attacking approach when they face Oman’s Al Nasr in their opening match of the Mohammed VI Champions Cup.

Al Jazira have travelled to Muscat without star striker Ali Mabkhout, playmaker Khalfan Mubarak and summer signing Omar Abdulrahman for Saturday’s first-leg of the last-32 round tie.

But with Brazilian forward Keno, Morocco’s Mourad Batna and young striker Zayed Al Ameri among the attacking options available, Streppel insists Al Jazira will not hold back against Al Nasr.

“We always want to play our best and for sure, we will not hold back during the game,” said Streppel during the pre-match press conference.

“From the first minute, we will try our best to achieve the best possible result.

“We don’t have all our players with us because some were away on international duty. Ali Mabkhout and Amoory (Omar Abdulrahman) are two of them.

“Amoory is working towards full fitness and we felt it was best for him to recover back home in Abu Dhabi.”

Streppel insists his players will go into the game determined to give nothing but the best.

“This is another game and another competition,” he said.

“But every match we play, we want to win and that includes this game. It will not be easy against Al Nasr.

“We have done our homework but my players will be fighting from the first to the last minute.”

Meanwhile, defender Mohammed Fawzi insists his team-mates are relishing the challenge against Al Nasr.

“This match will be important for us as we prepare for the start of the Arabian Gulf League,” he said.

“It will be a difficult test as we are playing in their home ground but we will do our best to get a good result.”