Players believe they can do better

Abu Dhabi: Even amid the celebrations, the players of Al Jazira did not forget their poor performances in the AFC Champions League this season where they finished last in their group with a single point.

It was no secret that the club's management have decided that the AFC Champions League was not their priority and that the team should concentrate on domestic competitions, that's why the technical staff kept key players away from the continental tournament.

"We are players and we do not decide the objectives of the team. The club's management do that," Subait Khater, the midfielder, said. "But personally, I believe that we can do more better if we decided to compete on the continental level. We have a good team and it is by no way less than the other teams in the competition."

Khater should know. He played a big role in helping Al Ain win the AFC Champions League in 2003 before transferring to Al Jazira.

"We are better than most of the teams if we played with our full team in the [Champions League]."

New challenge

Delgado, the Argentinean playmaker, said: "I believe we will do that next season because I think now that we won both domestic titles and we have to find a new challenge."

Saleh Obaid, the captain of the team was more confident.

"I am happy with the double, but I promise the club's leaders, management and fans that we are capable of achieving a brilliant result in the AFC CL next season if it was decided to go for it. We are a good team with some outstanding local and foreign players and we have a world class coach so what will prevent us from winning the continental title. Some years ago winning a domestic title was a wild dream. This season, we won both titles without losing a single match."

"We have proved to be up to the challenge and while we were looking for winning a single title in the past few years, this season we won both which proves that hard work and dedication and commitment pay positively. The same will apply in the[Champions League]."