Abu Dhabi: Cardiff City striker Kenwyne Jones and Getafe’s Spanish winger Angel Lafita have completed deals with Al Jazira.
Though the club are yet to make an official announcement, it is understood that both players will be in action during 10th placed Al Jazira’s Arabian Gulf League (AGL) match against fourth-placed Al Wasl on Friday.
Jones, who it is understood has signed until the end of the season on loan, posted a picture of himself posing with the Al Jazira jersey on his Facebook account.
The Trinidad and Tobago international spoke fondly of his time with the Welsh side, whom he joined in January, 2014 and starred for in the English Premier League before the club’s relegation at the end of that season, but added the opportunity to play for the Abu Dhabi side was one he could not resist.
“I’m really appreciative of the opportunity to have worked with a great team at Cardiff, and to play in front of some of the most passionate fans in Wales. This decision was made based on the opportunities presented to me,” he said.
The 31-year-old added: “I would like to say thank you to the Bluebirds’ staff and players - I wish them all success in their future endeavours. I also extend a special thank you to the amazing Bluebirds supporters. It has really been my absolute pleasure, and I will never forget you.”
Al Jazira’s new coach Henk ten Cate, speaking ahead of his first game in charge, declined to officially comment on the signings last night.
He said: “We are working on these new deals and there will be another press meet where the club will announce some things. But please don’t ask now.”
Speaking about the task at hand, Ten Cate said: “The first game is always very important and playing against an opponent who are good makes it tough. I saw their last match and they are well organised. They give very little chances away.”
The coach added that the team has responded well so far to his training.
“It will be a hard time but am I confident and they have showed great spirit. I can see the players are smiling and gaining their form. I’m confident they will come back with a good result.”
After the short winter break, the Arabian Gulf League’s second phase gets under way with third-placed Al Nasr with taking on struggling Emirates on Friday, who are coming into the match after facing their sixth successive loss.
Emirates put up strong resistance in their last two outings against both front runners Al Ahli and Al Ain - but it wasn’t enough to stem their slide. They will be keen to put that record straight.
Ivan Jovanovic’s men also couldn’t finish their first phase on a high as they lost their position in the league table. Their three-match winning streak came to an end when Fujairah held them to a 1-1 draw. Al Nasr have 25 points, six points adrift of second-placed Al Ahli and the former will be well aware that getting back to winning ways is the only way they can keep up with the front runners.
Defending champions Al Ain will start their AGL campaign on Friday when they lock horns with Al Dhafra at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Sitting at the top of the leaderboard with a three-point edge over second-placed Al Ahli, Al Ain have beefed up their arsenal with fresh legs in Colombian Danilo Moreno Asprilla. The 26-year-old was roped into the team in place of the erratic Ryan Babel, who failed to fit into the scheme of things at Al Ain.
Coach Zlatko Dalic may have had very little time to get a good look at Asprilla but he has already revealed that his new signing will take the field, if not for the entire match.
Asprilla has also heralded that he is ready for the new task at hand and would be giving his best. Al Dhafra, on the other hand are in 12th spot trying to stay out of the relegation zone. The clash against Al Ain will be a huge test for Dhafra but they will certainly have been given a boost from their last outing against Al Jazira, which they won 2-1.
Al Ahli are the only team that haven’t been able to take any advantage of the break, as they were busy finishing the league matches they missed due to their Asian Champions League commitments. Coach Cosmin Olaroiu has already voiced his opinion on the scheduling and his team’s battle with fatigue. He was of the view that the team were paying a heavy price for their participation in the Champions League.
It also showed in their last match against Al Wasl, as they ended up dropping two crucial points that could have put them in touching distance of Al Ain. On Saturday, they play Fujairah, who will be upbeat after holding Al Nasr to a 1-1 draw.
