Zenga’s men rack up frequent traveller miles along with points

Al Jazira are in confident mood ahead of their clash with Esteghlal in Iran, despite the fact that it is their third away game in seven days.

After defeating Al Dhafra in their UAE League Cup match Saturday, Al Jazira were on a plane on Sunday to Iran for their Asian Championship League match on Tuesday against Esteghlal. Abdullateef Al Marzouqi / Al Ittihad
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Al Jazira are in confident mood ahead of their clash with Esteghlal in Iran, despite the fact that it is their third away game in seven days.

Walter Zenga's men returned from Saudi Arabia after a 3-1 win over Al Shabab at Riyadh in their second Asian Champions League (ACL) tie last Tuesday.

They then travelled to Madinat Zayed on Saturday for a meeting with Al Dhafra in the League Cup, which they won to book their passage to the final.

The squad were back on the plane on Sunday and heading to Tehran for their game against Esteghlal.

"The win over Dhafra will do a world of good to the moral and confidence of the players," said goalkeeper Ali Kasheif, who played a key role in that victory with two excellent saves in the penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw.

Jazira’s record since December has been impressive. They have lost only two games (1-0 at Ajman in the Arabian Gulf League and 1-0 to Al Wahda in the President’s Cup) during this period.

They won 24 points from a possible 33 in the league, triumphed in two games in the League Cup and in both their matches in the ACL.

There is no rest after returning from Tehran as a derby match against Abu Dhabi rivals Al Wahda awaits in the Arabian Gulf League on Saturday followed by a game against Al Nasr, away, five days ­later.

“It is a bit tiring, particularly when you have to travel, but when you are on a winning run a lot of good things happen,” Kasheif said.

“The good results we have achieved over the last four days have provided the confidence and hunger for more success.

“We travel to Tehran full of hope. The mood in our camp is excellent. The players are happy and thinking positive.

“We want to make best use of the good start we have had in the ACL and consolidate our position in this group with another good result.”

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