Keizer: Al Ain is strong opponent and the derby will be challenging

Marcel Keizer, the coach of the first team, described the upcoming derby game against Al Ain as tough and important for Al Jazira, and insisted that Al Ain are still strong opponent regardless of their position in the league table.

Speaking to the media ahead of Friday derby at the Mohamed bin Zayed stadium, the Dutch coach said: “Its going to be challenging, and we still remember how difficult the away match against them was, we conceded two goals but the red card against them helped us to equalize the score and return from there with one point. Al Ain will always be a strong opponent, and their position in the league table this season will not change this fact. We know how strong they are and they know how good and strong we are, and the game will difficult for both teams, but we have the confidence and discipline to give our best and fight until the end to win the three points”.

“Conceding goals is not the backline mistake, it’s the whole team responsibility to defend and to attack, and the whole team will need to improve, not only the defenders. Against Ajman we conceded two goals because of the lack of concentration, and the third came from a penalty kick and you can’t really do anything about those. Seeing the players disappointed and upset after that match was positive sign because I know their winning mentality is very strong, but they are professional, and they already put that game behind them, and moved their concentration to the next task against Al Ain”.

“We are not thinking about the league title now, even if its only two games between us and the finish line, because thinking about it will be a huge mistake and we are smart enough not to make it. We only think about Al Ain, and how to prepare well for them, to give our best against them to win, and move on to the next challenge”.