Henk ten Cate delivered a loud and impassioned speech where he urged his players to “write their names” into the annals of Al Jazira’s history by delivering them a maiden AFC Champions League quarter-final berth.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi are into the round of 16 of the competition for the first time in four years and face Iran’s Persepolis – beaten in the semi-finals a year ago by Saudi Arabia’s losing finalists Al Hilal – in the first leg on Monday.
Ten Cate’s men ended a brief one-year exile by competing in the continental tournament for the last two years, but two meagre group stage exits were mustered – they were statistically the 31st worst performing team of 32 both years.
But now they stand on the brink of breaking a club record – they have not qualified for the last eight of the competition in their 44-year history.
And after a poor defence of their Arabian Gulf League crown won 12 months ago, Jazira finished seventh this term, in the bottom half of the table, with a 25-point chasm between them and champions Al Ain, Ten Cate has issued a rallying cry to his troops.
“It’s all or nothing tomorrow. It’s as easy as that,” said the dynamic Dutch coach in an animated press conference ahead of the clash at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
“Everybody has to be aware of this. It’s not a kindergarten or a playground. This is the last 16 of the Champions League and this club can reach the quarter-finals for the first time in more than 40 years of their history. The very first time.
Jazira won the AGL crown a year ago, but finished seventh this season.
“I am a foreigner. I will leave this country and go back to my own country and live my life. The local players will stay here and their name will be written in the history of this club. If you do something good, this will be remembered by everybody, this is what they have to fight for. Not me.
“I will fight even though I’m not from here. Because this is my job, and I will be aggressive, but I am not playing. It is them who is playing and they have to write their name in the history of this club forever. This is what they can do.”
The words seemed to have an immediate effect on Jazira captain and goalkeeper Ali Khaseif, who was in attendance alongside Ten Cate.
He described the fighting spirit within this Jazira squad, one that has this season been forced to perform despite two of their foreign signings – Sardor Rashidov and Lassana Diarra – flopping, while Ten Cate has largely put his trust in youth during his two-and-a-half year reign.
“The good thing about our team is we fight. We are focused on the match and we will fight for it,” said the 30-year-old stopper.
“We are playing in our home. I don’t need to invite the UAE fans because I’m sure they’re going to be there to support us. We need them for the 90 minutes. Hopefully the players and fans will be ready.”
Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic.
Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic will have insider knowledge of his opponents, having managed capital rivals Al Wahda for a season in 2012/13.
The Croatian is fully aware the deposed AGL champions have not had a good season domestically, but he knows they have been rejuvenated in Asia.
“We know Al Jazira very well and we know their quality,” said the former Iran coach.
“Maybe they didn’t play so well this season but they played much better in the Champions League and much better than last season. Jazira want to do something in this stage to save their season, which was not so good like last season.”
And having progressed to the semi-finals in 2017, the 64-year-old is keen to bolster the dominant Persian Gulf Pro League holders’ Asian credentials.
“We are very proud to be playing in the second stage of the Champions League,” he added.
“Both teams have ambitions to qualify for the quarter-final. We want to continue our good results in the Champions League.
“We come here with lots of optimism. We are ready and have big ambition. It’s only the first half but tomorrow we want to start with a good result.”
