Keizer Expects a Challenging Test against Al Dhafra in the league opener
Abu Dhabi: Aug. 18, 2021
Marcel Keizer says he and his Al Jazira side are eager for the new season to start, and described ADNOC pro league opening game against Al Dhafra as a tough and important one, while insisting that his players are not feeling any pressure by being the “title holders”.
“We are happy and excited about playing our first match in the league after many weeks of training and preparing, and we are eager to face Al Dhafra in the opening round. It's going to be tough and challenging, and we didn’t forget our draw against them in the last season, and also didn’t forget how they knocked us out of the President Cup, so we know very well how hard and complicated it will be against them” Marcel told the media during yesterday’s pre-game press conference. “
“Khalfan Mubarak will miss the first two league games because he picked a direct red car in the final game of the last season, and Victor Sa is waiting to be registered in the federation so he can be fit to play. Everyone else is in good shape and ready to be part of the game for Friday night, and I believe we can produce a very good performance and we will fight to get the three points”, added Marcel.
“Being the “title holders” will not put us under any negative pressure, and honestly I don’t know what are the other teams’ motivations. I am thinking only about my team and my players, and we will aim to repeat the very good performances from last season and improve at every aspect of our game,” Keizer concluded.
Speaking in the second part of the conference, Mhammed Rabii insisted that the team is ready to kick off their league campaign, and they are confident they can perform at a high level and fight for victories and full points.
“We are excited and happy about the start of the league, and we are looking forward with great enthusiasm and concentration to the upcoming match against Al Dhafra. It will be difficult because they are very good, but we will face them in our stadium, and we will be ready for this special challenge”.
