Blue Wave aim to turn the tide in AFC Champions League

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Blue Wave aim to turn the tide in AFC Champions League
Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic keeps a close look on the proceeding during the AGL match between Al Nasr and Al Ahli at the Al Nasr Stadium.

Dubai - After two unsuccessful forays Al Nasr are on the brink of advancing to the next round of Asia's elite

By James Jose

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Published: Tue 3 May 2016, 10:02 PM

Last updated: Wed 4 May 2016, 12:09 AM

Could it be third time lucky for Al Nasr? After two unsuccessful forays, the Oud Metha club are on the brink of making the cut to the next round of Asia's elite. But, in what has effectively become a three-way shoot-out for two slots, victory is paramount for Ivan Jovanovic's men if they are to make the grade from Group A of the AFC Champions League.
Al Nasr's sojourns in 2012 and 2013 were not much to write home about with the team, then coached by former Italian great Walter Zenga, falling in the group stages. But now, under Jovanovic, the Blue Wave are hoping that the Serbian can replicate what he did with Cypriot side APOEL back in the 2009 and 2011-12 seasons.
They may be stuttering and spluttering in the Arabian Gulf League this term but Al Nasr wear a totally different look when it comes to the Asian competition. They had done exceedingly well so far with two wins, two draws and a loss and now stand on the threshold of qualifying for the Round of 16.
Jovanovic helped APOEL qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history in 2009 and then two years on, he guided them to the quarterfinals of the European competition before their run was halted by Real Madrid.
Al Nasr and Jovanovic could do well to take inspiration from those achievements when they square off against a strong Uzbekistan side in Lokomotiv, in their final fixture in Group A. The Blue Wave are a point behind leaders Lokomotiv with eight and only a victory will do if they are to cross the line. A draw wouldn't be enough in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent as Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad are close on their heels. Al Ittihad too are away to Iran's Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan in Muscat and a win for them and a stalemate in Tashkent could complicate things. Jovanovic was aware of the task staring at his side and urged his wards to go all out and not given an inch.
"We have played well in the AFC Champions League and we will go to Tashkent and play the same style of football. We are not afraid of any team. We showed our value in all these games and we will go and show it in Tashkent," Jovanovic had said after the 1-1 stalemate in Dubai on April 20.
Jires Kembo-Ekoko had given Al Nasr the lead with a neat piece of individual brilliance just past the half hour but a lapse in concentration saw Lokomotiv level it through Temurkhuja Abdukholikov, with two minutes left in the first half, in the first leg at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
"We expect that the game will be difficult but are seeking a win which will help us top the group," Jovanovic said prior to his squad's departure to Tashkent.
Meanwhile, Jires Kembo-Ekoko said that the team was eager and ready to nail it in Tashkent.
"It will be a tough game between two strong teams. That was evident in the first leg where it was an equal match to a large extent. But we have to get that victory and those three points which will help us qualify for the next round," said Jires Kembo-Ekoko.
"There is a wonderful atmosphere within the team and everyone is excited. We will strive to cross over the line and into the next round of the competition. Everyone us excited and ready," added the former Al Ain ace.
james@khaleejtimes.com


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