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Bare to make Al Jazira debut against Sharjah

Bare will feature in the line-up as Jazira travel to Sharjah for their second Etisalat UAE Pro-League game on Thursday, coach Abel Braga said. Bare will don the No.9 jersey vacated by Ricardo Oliveira, last year’s most expensive signing.

Bare, who moved to Al Jazira from Dubai-based club Al Ahli on a free transfer this summer, had missed the club’s season-opener because he was carrying a red card from the previous season.

Braga said that attacking midfielder Matias Emillio Delgado, who joined from Turkish club Besiktas, will not play as he needed more time to get to know his teammates and the system. But Braga did add that Delgado will be on the bench for the game.

“Bare will play. Delgado still needs some time to get to know the players and the system here. So, he will not play. But he will be on the bench to get a feel of it. We want to get him in gradually,” Braga said.

Bare and Delgado, another summer signing, did not play in their season-opening game against Al Nasr. Jazira won the home game 3-0 at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium last Friday.

Braga said that midfielder Hilal Saeed is a doubtful starter. “Hilal Saeed has a injury and is doubtful for the game,” said Braga.

Braga said that due to the extreme weather conditions, there would be a few changes in the line-up. “Our line-up remains more or less the same apart from a few modifications due to injury. The weather has affected the players and it is not possible to last the full 90 minutes,” said Braga, who is in his third season in charge.

About Jazira’s opponents, Braga said: “Sharjah are stronger this season.

“They have a professional look to them. They are more attacking now and have speed in the wings. It won’t be an easy game.”

Sharjah had defeated promoted club Ittihad Kalba in their opening game.

Al Jazira have finished runners-up in the League for a third consecutive year.

james@khaleejtimes.com