Sport | Football
Al Jazira bank on Samba magic
High-profile Brazilian pros and rich base of local talent could prove successful formula for Abu Dhabi club.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:49 September 8, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Al Jazira are banking on the Samba magic to win their elusive first division title in the new professional season, which begins later this month.
After more than a decade of depending on European influence, which brought them some success, the Abu Dhabi club turned towards Abel Braga, the first Brazilian to lead the club in more than 15 years.
Braga is one of the most highly-respected coaches in the world after leading some of Brazil's prominent clubs like Fluminenese, Vasco, Butafogo and Cruzeiro and Paris Saint-Germain in France.
Al Jazira, traditionally known for bringing the best foreign professionals to the UAE, have lived up to their reputation by signing Brazilian Rafael Sobis from Primera Liga Club Real Betis for a record fee of 10 million euros. He is joined by compatriots Fernando Biano from Real Murcia and defender Marcio Rozario, who was previously plying his trade in the US.
Strong base
Al Jazira, however, will not pin all their hopes on foreign pros as they have a very strong base of local talent.
Recently-signed Hilal Saeed and Subait Khater, both from Al Ain, and Saleh Obaid, Rashid Abdul Rahman and Ahmad Dada all have international experience.
Midfielder Ebrahima Diyaki and young custodian Ali Khaseef are two of the best players in the country and Al Jazira are hoping that the combination of their local players with Brazilians pros will provide them with successful formula to achieve success in the first ever UAE Professional Football League, and in their maiden appearance in the the Asian Champions League.
Sobis, who was part of the Brazilian squad who won bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games last month, said he did not believe playing in the UAE would reduce his chances of playing for Brazil again.
Answering a question from Gulf News, Sobis confidently said: "Dunga travels to Europe to watch his players for the national team and I do believe that if he is looking for a quality player, then he will come to the UAE.
"Also it is easy to watch leagues played all over the world these days, so I don't think that my move to the UAE will reduce my chances of playing for my country again."
Factfile
Al Jazira, traditionally known for bringing the best foreign professionals to the UAE, have lived up to their reputation by signing Brazilian Rafael Sobis from Primera Liga Club Real Betis for a record fee of 10 million euros.
Established: 1972
President: Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Board Chairman: Mohammad ThaniAl Rumaithi.
Venue: Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, the capacity is 15,000 at present, but will be increased to 42,000 when the construction work is completed by the end of the season.
Nickname: Black Spiders.
Coach: Abel Braga of Brazil
League last season: Runners-up
Major titles: FA Cup , GCC Clubs Championship
Location: Behind the Abu Dhabi Police General Directorate, Shaikh Rashid Street.
Players to watch: Ahmad Dada, Rashid Abdul Rahman, Saleh Obaid, Redha Abdul Hadi and Ebrahima Diyaki in addition to their new signings Hilal and Subait.
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