The 2021 FIFA Club World Cup gets underway in the United Arab Emirates as
Al Jazira Club faceoff with Pirea at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi)
Key Statistics
Al Jazira Club have won four of their last five home games (L1).
They have not kept a clean sheet in their last four home games.
The hosts have scored in each of their last 17 games in all competitions.
AS Pirae are the current Tahiti Ligue 1 champions and the second-most decorated club in the competition’s history, with 10 titles.
They reached the OFC Champions League final in 2006, which is the furthest any French Polynesian side has ever gone in Oceania’s premier competition.
Head to head
This is the first-ever meeting between both sides.
Latest performances in all competitions
Al Jazira: L-W-W-W-D
Pirae: W-D-W-W-W-L
Al Jazira
UAE Pro League defending champions Al Jazira will begin their FIFA Club World Cup when they play Pirae on Friday.
The Emirati club are in this tournament after winning UAE Pro League and because their country UAE are hosting the FIFA Club World Cup.
Marcel Keizer’s side Al Jazira also head into this contest on the back of being eliminated from the Presidents Cup, going down by a 2-1 scoreline at home to Al Wahda.
In their domestic league, they have not enjoyed success this season as they are currently down in fifth place in the standings.
However, they collected seven points and scored eight goals from their most recent three league fixtures, and will fancy their chances of getting a goal in this game.
The Spiders’ last appearance in this competition was a hugely successful one, as they recorded wins over Auckland City and Urawa Red Diamonds before only succumbing by a 2-1 scoreline to eventual winners Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
They will hope to achieve the same run in this year’s tournament.
Possible Al Jazira starting line-up
Khaseif; Rabii, Alhammadi, M. Al Attas, Idrees; Serero, Ramadan; Diaby, Bruno, Joao Victor; O. Al Attas.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
AS Pirae
Tahitian Ligue 1 champions AS Pirae will make their first appearance in the Club World Cup when they face Al Jazira this Friday.
The visitors were invited to the competition at the last minute following the withdrawal of Auckland City, who were scheduled to represent Oceania but were forced to withdraw because of Covid-19 restriction in New Zealand.
‘Ajkule’ are the first Tahitian team ever to play at a Club World Cup and are also one of the most successful teams in Tahiti.
Naea Bennett and his squad will look to enjoy their debut campaign in the tournament.
But they are currently enduring a below-par season on the domestic front, as they are sitting nine points adrift of leaders Dragon in the domestic league.
Given that they scored a remarkable 22 goals in their three matches before facing Venus on January 23, they will fancy their chances of getting a goal in this game.
Possible Pirae starting line-up
Torohia; Tiatia, Paama, Tau, Graglia, Tihoni, Bourebare, Tehau, Warren, Williams, Tehau.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Al Jazira 2-1 Pirae
