Al Jazira manager Henk ten Cate wants more aerial support for Kenwyne Jones

The Abu Dhabi club took the lead through Kenwyne Jones but it lasted just five minutes as Wanderly Santos struck at the other end for Sharjah in a 1-1 result at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, reports Amith Passela.

Midfielder Park Jong-woo, right, was all over the field for Al Jazira whether it was in attack or defence. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

ABU DHABI // Two draws in two games under Henk ten Cate meant Al Jazira remained rooted to 10th spot in the Arabian Gulf League.

They took the lead through Kenwyne Jones but it lasted just five minutes as Wanderly Santos struck at the other end for Sharjah in a 1-1 result on Friday night at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

After a drab first half, the game sprung to life with two goals within five minutes and some fierce exchanges.

Jones rose above a defender and the charging goalkeeper Rashid Ahmed to head in a long ball from Brazilian Thiago Neves in the 54th minute.

But that lead was short-lived as Santos took play inside the area, sidestepped a defender before striking it past keeper Al Kasheif for the equaliser. Neves was unlucky when a curling shot from outside the area crashed against the crossbar.

Man of the match

Park Jong-woo – Al Jazira’s Korean midfielder was a bundle of energy and was seen urging his teammates. He was behind almost every move both in attack and defence.

What they said

Henk ten Cate, Al Jazira coach: “We didn’t play well in the first half as we gave away a lot of space but we played better in the second period. I’m not happy with the goal we conceded because it was so easy for them from a defensive mistake. We didn’t do much to deserve a better result.

“I would like to see Jones with more good balls as well as more players around him, if we want to make best use of his scoring potential. Two draws from two games is still a satisfying result for a team that is coming off from a situation they are in at the moment.

Abdulaziz Anbar, the Sharjah coach: “We used counter attacks to good effect. Of course, we are not satisfied in the position we are in but such performances provide the players the confidence and motivation to play for better results.”

The National’s verdict

Jazira came short again after the changes that has taken place during the mid-season transfer window.

However, sharing a point from the two games is still better than a defeat.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport