We’re fairer than most: Jovanovic

Khamis is the most-carded player in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) this season, with seven yellows and two reds to the skipper’s name thus far.

Al Nasr coach Ivan Jocanovic (right) and and Al Shabab’s coach Caio Jr argue over the referee’s decision for the red card to Mahmoud Khamis. — KT photo by Mukesh Kamal

Dubai — Ivan Jovanovic has defended his Al Nasr side’s disciplinary record after Mahmoud Khamis’ sending-off left the Blue Wave battling to preserve parity here with Al Shabab.

Khamis is the most-carded player in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) this season, with seven yellows and two reds to the skipper’s name thus far. Shabab’s Hassan Ibrahim is the only footballer to come close to Khamis in the caution count for 2014/15 with six to date and he is also unsurpassed on the explusions front. Al Wasl duo Waheed Ismail and Hassan Zahran and Shahin Abdulrahman, of Sharjah, have two dismissals apiece too.

However, despite the fairly regular blotting of the copybook by the likes of Khamis and his Nasr team-mate Tariq Ahmed, Jovanovic insists his squad are among the fairest competitors in the UAE top flight. “Mahmoud Khamis is a very important player for us and he always gives his best for the team,” the Serbian coach said. “He’s not the type of player to create problems in the game and I’m sure he’s feeling bad today (Thursday) about his red card. We compete in all of the competitions and try to create something good for Al Nasr. Whatever my players do on the pitch is from their willingness to offer – and do – on it. That is the only reason (for Khamis’ red card).

“We are not a side that’s frequently receiving yellow cards. We’re probably one of the teams with the least amount of yellow and red cards in the division. It’s just some of the ones we’ve received have been too painful!”

Jovanovic’s counterpart at Shabab, Caio Junior, was pleased to come away with a draw in spite of his players’ failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the second half. “To pick up a point here against Al Nasr is a good result,” the Brazilian boss explained. “Of course, we had 11 against 10 and we only needed that second goal. We just couldn’t score it, but I’m still happy with my players because they gave their maximum.