Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer expects a tough challenge from Baniyas. Courtesy Al Jazira FC
Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer expects a tough challenge from Baniyas. Courtesy Al Jazira FC
Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer expects a tough challenge from Baniyas. Courtesy Al Jazira FC
Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer expects a tough challenge from Baniyas. Courtesy Al Jazira FC

Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer expects 'difficult' challenge against in-form Baniyas


Amith Passela
  • English
  • Arabic

Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer is expecting a tough challenge against in-form Baniyas as the Abu Dhabi club aim to strengthen their Arabian Gulf League title bid when the two sides meet on Thursday.

Jazira are level on points with leaders Sharjah but trail the defending champions on head-to-head record. Baniyas, meanwhile, have enjoyed a good run of results and have moved up to third in the table, four points behind the co-leaders.

Jazira won the previous meeting, 3-1, in the season-opener, but Keizer insists that counts for nothing when the two teams meet again at Mohamed bin Zayed stadium.

“The position Baniyas are occupying at the moment is credit to them,” Keizer said. “They fully deserve that place because of their strong performances and good results. That certainly makes our task much harder but we are ready both physically and mentally for this important game.

“Our win over them when we met last time was achieved with difficulty and it will be a lot harder this time around.”

Jazira enter the match after an Ali Mabkhout-inspired 6-0 thumping of Kalba and Keizer believes such results are confidence boosters for his side.

“We are going through a good period in terms of performance and results and we enjoy high spirits during this period of the season,” the Dutchman said.

“However, as always, I have told my players to maintain their focus at its highest levels. We will only think about our next game and how well to prepare for it in the best possible way.

“We want to continue playing well and continue to win and gain points. Another positive we can take from the last game is we didn’t suffer any injuries or suspensions. It means we have the full squad at our disposal.”

Baniyas manager Daniel Isaila has called on his players to embrace the challenge of facing Jazira and believes their own good form should give them confidence.

“We want to enjoy this match because Jazira are joint leaders at the top and we are third,” the Romanian said.

“It obviously is a tough game for us because Jazira are going through a good phase. We too have won our last two games against Fujairah and Khorfakkan, and I think the fans can enjoy a good show from two in-form playing wonderful football at the moment.”

In the other games, Sharjah take the long road to Al Dhafra, Ajman are at home to Al Nasr, and Shabab Al Ahli travel to Hatta.

The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km

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A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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