Over the past five years, Al Jazira have emerged as one of the major contenders for the UAE First Division League title, banking primarily on the fact that they have always succeeded in roping in excellent professionals, while at the same time absorbing talented youngsters from their junior football teams.
Al Jazira have also continued to depend on Dutch coaches to give some semblance of stability to the side.
However, having good players and coaches is not always enough to win football titles. Experience and mentality are of great importance in the making of champions.
The lack of experience and mental strength, particularly in the last phases of the League, had denied Al Jazira a shot at the title despite their finishing runners-up in the League and the President's Cup in the 2003-04 season and third in the League last season.
Last season, the team was often affected by their defensive errors.
In fact, that is one of the reasons why the club's administration has recalled their left full-back , Salih Basheer, from Al Dhafrah, where he had played for two seasons on loan.
They have also signed on Mohammad Jawhar from Bani Yas.
The retirement of their experienced custodian Saeed Jumaa, the former UAE 'keeper, opened the door for their young custodian Ali Khaseef, who plays for the UAE youth team.
They have also struck a deal with Abdul Nasir Abdullah, a more experienced custodian who holds the record of playing in more UAE clubs than any other player, having turned out for Al Wahda, Al Nasr, Bani Yas, Ras Al Khaimah and who will now represent Al Jazira in the new season.
So far as professionals are concerned, Al Jazira have made some good recruitments like Joel Tiehi, George Weah, James Dibeah, Moritto, Elson Becarra and Ebrahima Diyaki.
They are still on the lookout for a second player to join Diyaki up the park, as their former Portuguese striker, Dario, has failed to meet the club's expectations.
They are also trying to bring in Brazilian Diego and young Benin striker Razzaq.
Al Jazira will have to play all their home matches away at the Zayed Sports City since their own home ground at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium is under renovation.
"It is a big problem and we are trying to make the players adapt to the new ground," Sef Vergoossen, their head coach, told Gulf News.
Al Jazira, moreover, will miss the services of their strikers, Mohammad Salim Al Enazy, because of injury, and Mohammad Omar who has been suspended for three matches.
Gulf News
