DUBAI // Ivan Jovanovic, the Al Nasr coach, has urged the club’s supporters to get behind the team as they travel across the city to face Al Shabab in the second leg of their GCC Clubs Cup semi-final.
The defending champions, Nasr conceded an early goal in the first leg at home but fought back to level the scores and keep their hopes alive. Jovanovic says he is confident his team can get the result they need to keep their title defence on track.
“Of course, we believe we can overturn this result,” Jovanovic said, adding that he does not believe Shabab have an advantage despite scoring an away goal in the first leg. “I believe we were the better team in the first leg, and the win over Sharjah in the President’s Cup has really lifted the morale of the team.
“The team fought for 120 minutes against Sharjah and it was a big match, coming ahead of this game against Shabab. We know we have to win this match if we hope to reach the final of the GCC Clubs Championships for a second year on the trot, and I promise the fans we will do everything we can to achieve our target.”
The Serb said the support of the Nasr fans would be crucial to the team’s end-of-season run-in, which includes a President’s Cup quarter-final against Al Ain on Saturday.
“Of course, we will need the support of the fans to make it possible, not just in this match but in the next game against Al Ain. A win over Shabab will give us a massive boost for the next match.”
Confidence in the Shabab camp is also high. They are also into the last eight of the President’s Cup, but Saad Obaid, coach Caio Junior’s Emirati assistant, has cautioned his players against complacency.
A 0-0 draw will be enough for Shabab to reach the final on away goals.
Obaid, however, says that his team will be playing for victory.
“Both teams know each other inside out and we know Nasr will be trying their best to overturn the result of the first leg,” Obaid said. “So we need to show great concentration and hopefully play at the same level we played against Emirates in the last game.”
Dawood Ali, the Shabab winger, added: “Reaching the final of the GCC Clubs Championships was one of our targets at the start of the season, and we are determined to achieve that, especially since we are playing at home.
“We will not be playing negatively for a draw but will try to score early and settle the fate of the match.”
arizvi@thenational.ae
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