Sharjah-Al Jazira match headlines matchweek 5; Al Ain meet Dibba

Mohammad Abdullah, Gulf Today

Al Jazira will lock horns with Sharjah in the top of the table clash as the fifth round of the Pro League gets underway on Friday.

Sharjah will look to extend the lead at the top with a victory. After a dismal last season, which saw their former coach Abdulaziz Anbari aprting ways, A resilient Sharjah have put up a stellar show to maintain their dominance right from the beginning under the new coach Cosmin Olario.

Sharjah, who have won all their four games so far, will look to extend their winning streak. They have procured maximum points from the four matches with four wins. Sharjah boss Olario predicted a tough match against Al Jazira.

“It is going to be a very big and difficult match. We need to  go into the match with double focus if we have to win the game. I will be happy to watch a match of this quality and I think that the fans in the stadium will also enjoy it,” said Olario.

He ruled out the that Sharjah will adopt a defensive approach against Al Jazira.

“I do not go into any match with a preconceived idea of defence. we adapt the strategy as per the situation. If the circumstances need then we have to deal with it intelligently and play in the way that can fetch us a win,” he added.

Sharjah’s Spanish recruit Paco Alcacer said they are focus on their preparation ahead of the high profile clash.

“We are required to continue what we started and move forward steadily and confidently towards our goals.

“We need to focus on giving the maximum we have throughout the two halves of the match without paying attention to the situation and accounts of other teams,” said Alcacer.

Meanwhile, Al Jazira will bid to curtail the deficit and go on the top of the standings with a victory over Sharjah. Al Jazira coach Marcel Keizer said they are confident abut wary of Sharjah’s quality.

“It is an important match of course because we are facing the league leaders, but for us all the matches are important,” said Marcel.

“We will give Sharjah the due respect but we treat all the teams like that irrespective of their position in the standing.

Sharjah are a very strong team and doing well since the beginning of the season. They are scoring goals and have conceded a few, but we will focus only on ourselves. The players are fit and ready.

We are confident of winning the match,” he added.

“We have developed a specific and clear style and character and we are not planning to change or game against any team. We will maintain our our standards and ways of playing, and we will work to create as many chances as possible. I hope we will run away with the three points.”

After getting off to an excellent start, which saw Al Jazira notching up three straight wins, the Pride of Abu Dhabi were held by Bani Yas.

“We dropped points against Baniyas in the last match because we weren’t decisive and also lacked a bit of luck. But we succeeded in breaking their defence and creating chances. I am confident we will improve and score more goals because everyone is positive and working hard. We are mentally ready for the match against Sharjah.”

In the other matches on Friday, Shabab Al Ahli will take on Ittihad Kalba at Rashid Stadium for the early kick-off.Both the teams will look to bounce back from the disappointment of the losses in the last matches.

Dibba will face a stern test against title holders Al Ain. Al Ain have dominated Dibbba, winning six out of previous ten matches between both the teams. While Ajman will face Bani Yas at Rashid Bin Saeed Stadium.