Abu Dhabi: The journalists were in splits as soon as Al Jazira’s striker Romário Ricardo da Silva ‘Romarinho’ ended up saying that his team was capable of even beating the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.
Al Jazira is making their debut at the Club World Cup and will be taking on New Zealand’s Auckland City in the opener on Wednesday. Meeting Real Madrid is a far cry as the first hurdle is already looking steep, but Romarinho has reasons to believe it is very much ‘possible.’
The Brazilian is the only player in the Al Jazira team who has not only figured in the sporting showpiece but has also been part of the title winning team in 2012, when the tournament was held in Japan.
Then as a 21-year-old, Romarinho tasted success when he was part of the Brazilian team Corinthians. And his confidence is sky-high because they had ended up shocking the mighty English Club Chelsea 1-0 in the finals to lift the title.
“I’m even confident of Jazira beating Real Madrid. If you are entering into a tournament then you have to believe in the team and I believe my team can even beat Real Madrid. Nothing is impossible. It is a dream of me and for all our players,” said Romarinho with a straight face, muffling the sound of laughter with his strong words.
Romarinho figured in just one match in that contest and that was in the semi-finals against Al Ahli of Egypt. He came on to the field in the 75th minute and Corinthians stole the win in the 92nd though a strike from their Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero. In the finals, they met Chelsea and here too Guerrero stole the limelight with a solitary goal in the 69th minute to clinch the trophy.
“It was amazing and I can remember all those happy moments. I was very happy to win the Club World Cup with Corinthians as it was the first time,” said Romarinho, who in 141 appearances for Corinthians has scored 31 goals. In 2014, Romarinho switch loyalties to Qatar’s Al Jaish and in that three-year stint scored 41 goals in 71 matches.
Romarinho joined Al Jazira on a free transfer this summer and in 13 matches, in all competitions, he has scored four goals.
“Jazira is very well prepared for this tournament and we are confident of moving forward in the tournament. Obviously, we have to respect our opponents but we are confident of doing well. The team is ready and there is no reason to think why we can’t move forward,” asserted the 26-year-old, adding that playing in the competition was a ‘dream’ for him and his teammates and having reached there, they are ‘confident’ of beating any team.
Romarinho, however, was of the view that his previous experience of being a part of a winning team won’t be of much help as it is a team game.
“It is completely different now. My experience of playing in the Club World Cup is the thing of the past. Obviously I can help with my pass and assistance but the circumstances are different now. It will be a contest of 11 against 11,” said Romarinho, who also added that his side was well aware of the task at hand and was ready for any challenge.
“The League is a long-term competition which allows us to recover if we go back. In the case of Club World Cup, it is a playoff competition and you are not allowed to fail and we are well aware of it.”
