Abu Dhabi: There was laughter when I asked Al Jazira midfielder Mbark Bousoufa the perfectly valid question of what he thought his side’s chances were against Real Madrid in Wednesday’s Fifa Club World Cup semi-final.

Some of the laughter was from other journalists and some from him. Even I broke into a wry smile from the incredulousness of it all, and I had asked that question with genuine intent amid fleeting robot mode as if it were any other match-day that was fast approaching.

Last week we were talking about his side’s league trip to Sharjah and next up it will be their hosting of Hatta in the UAE League Cup. But in between there’s this mammoth glamour tie, the one we never thought would happen, not least because the Arabian Gulf League defending champions are struggling this season placed fifth in the table due to injuries. But also because Oceania champions Auckland City, who they played in the quarter-final play-off, and especially Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds, who they played in the quarters, were meant to beat them comfortably.

As wildcards, entered into this tournament as the champions of the host nation, Al Jazira weren’t meant to beat any of the continental seeds, but they’ve already dispensed off the best teams from two land masses with identical score-and-defend 1-0 scorelines.

If you look at it statistically from a glance at the AGL table, Al Jazira aren’t even the best team on the island of Abu Dhabi at the moment (Al Wahda are third), and even they would respectfully acknowledge that.

So, how have we got here, standing in front of Bousoufa asking him if he fancies a pop at back-to-back European Champions Real Madrid?

Another journalist in the post-match news conference asked Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate if he would deploy the same tactics to seal another 1-0 win over Real, and it was met with similar sniggers from journalists and even the Dutchman himself.

Yes, this is an unbelievable situation and none of us can get the smiles off our faces. But make no qualms about it, while even players, coaches and journalists can’t suppress the giggles — and while quotes fly in about just enjoying the moment — when they cross that line on Wednesday it will be, and should be, with the genuine belief and desire to win.

Already the furthest any UAE side has got in this competition and easily the biggest match any UAE side has ever been involved in — with Asian Champions League finals for various local clubs coming a close second perhaps — Al Jazira have already made history.

But they shouldn’t rest on that. They should at least give it a go and not keep referring to it as their trophy to have just got this far.

This could just be the best time to beat Real Madrid — they’ve had a sluggish start to the season with defeats to Real Betis and Girona and are by no means infallible, despite having just beaten Sevilla with a resurgent 5-0 win at the weekend.

Al Jazira, too, have had their moments to forget this season, losing 1-0 away to Dibba and 4-2 at home to Al Nasr, but the reason we all watch football is because anything can happen. And if ever UAE football could impact on the world stage — especially in light of the frustration of its best players not moving abroad — it’s now.