Sousa demands unwavering focus as Shabab Al Ahli set for clash vs Buriram

Belief and focus will be the key ingredients when Thailand’s Buriram United and Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE face off in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals in Jeddah on Saturday.

Buriram head coach Mark Jackson is demanding confidence from his Buriram side while his Shabab Al Ahli counterpart Paulo Sousa expects full commitment after the UAE side advanced to this stage with victory against Tractor FC of Iran Iran in the Round of 16.

Sousa expects total commitment from Shabab Al Ahli, who showed their pedigree in the 3-0 win against Tractor on Tuesday.

The former Portuguese midfielder, who won the UEFA Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997, is hopeful that his players will be able to produce the same focus for what he expects will be a tough battle.

“From what we have seen, all the matches are quite balanced and that is what we expect tomorrow,” said Sousa. “We believe the team that we are facing are of a high level, so the challenge will be hard.”

“My colleague at Buriram is doing a very good job. A team that has been very sustainable at all levels. They are one of the best teams that we could face so we have to be very focused and take every opportunity we can.

“Our team will be very focused and will respect everything they have to do. We have to show a lot of desire with and without the ball.”

Buriram are playing at this stage of the competition for the second season running and the English tactician believes they have the quality to go further.

“It’s a very big game for our football club,” said Jackson. “We’re very excited to be here. We’ve overcome many hurdles to reach this stage and we’re here to compete. We are ready to play and challenge our opponents.”

“We want to go as far as we can. We are not here to just take part but compete. Every game at this level is difficult. We had the privilege of watching our opponents live and we expect a tough game.

“We looked at our opponents who are individually and collectively of high quality but we are confident in ourselves. Our discipline and structure combined with the individual quality of our players makes us a dangerous team.”

Buriram advanced to the quarter-finals following a penalty shoot-out win against Melbourne City FC, having finished fourth in the East Zone League Stage.

Kenneth Dougall and Walid Abbas are equally determined to put their best foot forward when Buriram and Shabab Al Ahli meet on Saturday.

Dougall was part of the Buriram side that reached the same stage of the competition last season before bowing out by eventual champions Al Ahli Saudi FC of Saudi Arabia while Abbas will be appearing at this stage for the first time.

As for 40-year-old Abbas, his hunger for success remains undiminished and wants to cap his long stint with Shabab — which started in 2013 — with a bang.

The defender stressed that the quality of Buriram means the Shabab Al Ahli players will have no room for error.

“This match against this team is going to be very difficult because they are champions in Thailand,” said Abbas. “It’s going to be difficult but we are hoping for the best result possible.”

“Each championship has its own difficulties and this is one of the most difficult championships that I’ve played in because of the high level of teams.

“We have one goal and we are focused on reaching this goal. We hope to keep our technical level because any drop and the opponents will catch us out.”

Australian Dougall believes a wiser Buriram have the right components to produce a different outcome this time around.

“Good to be back again,” said centre-back Dougall. “To be here two years in a row is a great achievement, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game and going one step further.”

“It’s always hard to compare teams but if I’m to say, I feel we are a bit more mature this year. We had that experience last year that can help us.

“We need to show what we can do. We went through some tough times in the group stage. We’re looking forward to playing against the team from UAE who are perhaps more used to the climate than we are but we are ready to perform.”