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Braga Pleased with Team’s Performance

UAE Pro-League leaders Al Jazira were involved in a goalless draw with

Bunyodkor in a friendly game at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Monday night. The match was held as a preparation for the AFC Champions League 2010, which kicks off on the January 23. Jazira are placed in Group A, while Bunyodkor are in Group B.

Bunyodkor, who qualified for the second round of the AFC Champions League last season, are in the middle of a 10-day break from the Uzbek League.

The match saw two Brazilian coaches go head-to-head. Bunyodkor are coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, who previously held the positions of coach for several Brazilian teams and English Premiership side Chelsea. Al Jazira are coached by Abel Braga, who has won the Club World Cup with Internacional. Both coaches have led their teams to win the Copa Libertadores de America; Braga in 2006 with Internacional and Scolari in 1999 with Palmeiras.

“The whole team is good. It was a chance for the bench players to play with the main players,” Braga said.

Braga said there were some positives and negatives but the most important thing was it would prepare them for the tough battles ahead.

“This was a chance to see the substitutes. There were positives and negatives but it was a great chance to prepare our players for tough assignments ahead,” he said.

Braga said the game was a great opportunity for his team. “I know Scolari and his team deserves to be respected and it was a good chance to play against his team,” said Braga.

james@khaleejtimes.com