Following Saturday's narrow 1-0 win in extra-time over African champions Wydad Casablanca, Pachucha playmaker Keisuke Honda was far from pleased with his team’s level despite the 1-0 victory, and he is eager to step up his game against Gremio in the final four on Tuesday.

The Dutchman celebrated his 63rd birthday with the 1-0 win at Zayed Sports City Stadium, a victory which set Al Jazira up for a clash against European champions Real Madrid in the semi-finals. And he described it as the best birthday gift he had ever received.

“This is one of our best moments. I won the league and the President Cup with Al Jazira. Today, we did not win any titles, but we won the love of all football fans in the UAE,” said ten Cate.

“The celebration at the final whistle was special because it was my birthday. The players threw me in the air, which I usually don’t like, but I enjoyed it this time. This win was the best birthday gift ever.”

Ten Cate joined Al Jazira two years ago, at a time when the club was struggling at the bottom end of the league table. But since his arrival at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, the Dutchman has transformed the club’s fortunes, leading them to win the Pro League title last season.

The Al Jazira boss reflected back on his journey with the team ahead of what could be the biggest match in the club’s history.

“There is no secret to our success. This is a team that was formed two years ago when I arrived here. Back then we decided to wave goodbye to some players who were not fighting for the team colours,” explained the former winger.

“We welcomed new players from the academy and this became part of our identity; we may not have the best players, but we have the best team. We play with a big heart and we are happy with it.”

Ten Cate admitted his side may be tempted by the prospect of going far in the 2018 AFC Champions League, which he believes is more difficult than the FIFA Club World Cup.

“The AFC Champions League is a different competition. Here, we had the home advantage, but in the Champions League you have to play home and away and progress from the group stage which is more difficult than winning one match to qualify,

“The AFC Champions League starts in February, so there is still a long way to go and we have to focus on the league first in this period.”

Ali Mabkhout’s goal was the difference as Al Jazira secured a famous victory on Saturday, and ten Cate was full of praise for his striker.

“He is so good that he always knows the right moment to move and free himself from defenders, find the right position and score.”

Although Asian clubs have participated in every FIFA Club World Cup since the inaugural event in 2000, it took until 2016 for a club from the world's biggest continent to reach the final when Japan's Kashima Antlers shocked world audiences with their historic effort.

In many ways, Kashima could have been considered a rather unlucky team not so long ago. Despite winning a hat-trick of league titles from 2007 to 2009, the J-League's most successful side were unable to play in the FIFA Club World Cup as the host country's representative.

In 2007 and 2008, they were undone by the Asian title triumphs of fellow Japanese sides Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba Osaka while in 2009, the tournament moved to the United Arab Emirates.

Therefore, Kashima's appearance at the 2016 edition of the continental event marked the end of a long wait for the Antlers fans. Little did they know that their team would make up for lost time in style.

Al Jazira’s all-time top goalscorer Ali Mabkhout’s strike was the difference as ‘The Pride of Abu Dhabi’ became the first Emirati team to reach the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

The host nation’s representatives repeated the scenario of their opening match against Auckland City, when they struck on the counter and sat deep to defend their lead.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, though it wasn’t for lack of trying. There was plenty of action as Urawa dominated play and Al Jazira looked to hit on the counter.

The most dangerous chance of the first half came in the 28th minute when Urawa’s Yuki Muto found his teammate Shinya Yajima with cross from the right flank. Yajima had the goal at his mercy but fired high from inside the six-yards-box.

The hosts responded five minutes later when Mbark Boussoufa released Ali Mabkhout inside the penalty box, but the striker’s effort from a tight angle was cleared behind by goalkeeper Shusaku Nikshikawa’s feet for a corner-kick.

Boussoufa was on creative duty again a minute later as he crossed for Musallam Fayez whose header at the far post was heroically saved by Nishikawa.

Al Jazira started the second period with a bang. Romarinho carried the ball past the halfway line and supplied a perfectly-weighted through pass for Mabkhout who advanced and slotted coolly between Nishikawa’s legs to put the home side in front seven minutes after the restart.

Urawa nearly equalised at the hour-mark when Al Jazira goalkeeper failed to hold onto Muto’s left-footed effort. The ball fell to Shinzo Koroki who took one touch too many, allowing Khaseif to recover and save his own blushes.

Rafael Silva almost replicated his late winner from the AFC Champions League final second leg when he found space inside Al Jazira’s area in the final minute of the match, but his attempt from a tight angle missed the target.

The Asian champions applied pressure for the remaining half an hour but with no clear-cut opportunities as Khaseif and his back four weathered an avalanche of crosses to see out the game and secure their ticket to face European champions Real Madrid in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Auckland, making a record ninth appearance, started the encounter the brighter. Emiliano Tade, veteran of seven of those tournaments and equalling a club record tenth appearance, laid off to Ryan De Vries, who saw his effort deflected wide. The No 10 turned provider as Callum McCourt had the clearest chance of the half, but his strike from 12 yards was too close to Ali Khaseif.

It was a miss which was duly punished. Romarinho, linking well with Ali Mabkhout, converted Al Jazira’s first shot of the night in lethal fashion. The 2012 Club World Cup winner (with Corinthians) fizzed a low drive from all of 30 yards into the bottom left corner to send the Abu Dhabi side ahead at the break.

The Navy Blues again began the stronger when they reemerged, with Cameron Howieson drawing a fine save from Khaseif, diving low to his left to tip it round the post. They remained the principle aggressors as the clock ticked down, with a golden chance falling to De Vries as he diverted a cross straight at Khaseif from five yards out.

The host side were able to withstand the remaining pressure, with victory seeing Al Jazira tee up a clash with fellow Asian side Urawa Red Diamonds on December 9.

Source: FIFA.com

The Abu Dhabi club cruised to last season’s domestic league title with an impressive 11 points’ margin to earn their place as the host nation’s representatives.

History

Al Jazira, Arabic for ‘the Island’, are the oldest surviving club in Abu Dhabi and were founded in 1974 to represent the UAE’s island capital.

Since their establishment, Al Jazira have won two league titles, three President Cups and one league cup title, all of which came in the past decade.

Club Legends

Urawa's participation at this year's event was confirmed after they were crowned Asian champions, following a 2-1 aggregate win over Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the final of the 2017 AFC Champions League.

History

Founded as the company team of Shin-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1950, Urawa were one of Japan's most successful sides before they took the current name prior to the launch of the inaugural J-League season in 1992. 

In 67 years of existence, the club has won numerous titles including four first division championships, six Emperor's Cups and two AFC Champions League trophies.

Club Legends