The head coach of Al Jazira football club, Dutchman Marinko Pusic, stated that key absences were a major factor in the team's decline in results during some matches of the first leg of the ADNOC Pro League. He also noted that luck was not on the side of 'Pride of Abu Dhabi' in several important encounters. Pusic told 'Al Ittihad' that the team generally showed a good level during the first phase, adding: 'I am satisfied with what we achieved in the first phase, especially since the team is witnessing continuous development in performance, and we could have achieved better results were it not for the circumstances imposed on us in important matches, which we played with key absences due to injuries or international commitments.' Al Jazira finished the first leg of the first phase in fifth place with 21 points (six wins, three draws, and four losses). The Dutch coach explained: 'Our performance showed clear improvement during the last two months, and we succeeded in asserting ourselves among the top teams, which was clearly evident in our matches against teams competing for the lead. I believe our position in the standings would have been better if our squad had been complete in those matches.' Regarding plans for signings during the upcoming winter transfer window, Pusic said: 'We are looking to make contracts that add the required value to the team. And although Al Jazira has distinguished elements who imposed their presence strongly on the field, the focus in the next phase will be on quality, recruiting players at a high level of efficiency, to match the ambitions of the club's fans and help us advance additional positions in the standings and enter strongly into the second half of the league, especially in matches against top teams.' He continued: 'We still have a large number of matches and points that we are striving to win, and I am generally happy with the performance of the players, both in training and in matches, and with the continuous development in level. I am proud of what the team has presented in the past rounds.' A frustrating loss Pusic also touched on the frustrating loss that Al Jazira suffered to their host Al Wasl 0:1 two days ago, in the opening of the 13th round of the Pro League, saying: 'A loss is always frustrating, but it is more cruel when it comes by conceding a goal in the final minutes. Judging by what we presented throughout the match, I think we did not deserve the loss.' He added: 'We were the better side and more in control of the match's proceedings, and the two most dangerous chances in the meeting were for Al Jazira, but the Al Wasl goalkeeper shone in saving them. My biggest frustration is due to the loss of focus in the final minutes, which cost us the goal and deprived us of a positive result.'
