Ivan Jovanovic backs Al Nasr to claim President’s Cup final glory

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  • Confident: Ivan Jovanovic.

    All past experiences will go out of the window when Al Nasr fight Al Ahli for the President’s Cup, according to coach Ivan Jovanovic.

    The clash at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium pits the UAE resident knockout-competition kings against each other.

    In the blue corner, Nasr ended a 12-year wait for silverware when they lifted the 2013/14 GCC Club Cup and have added the 2014/15 Arabian Gulf Cup since the Serbian took over in June 2013. They have also reached at least the semi-final stage of every cup competition entered this season.

    In the red corner, Ahli claimed a treble during coach Cosmin Olaroiu’s glorious debut 2013/14 campaign and won this term’s Arabian Gulf Super Cup. 

    They are also competing in a third-consecutive President’s Cup final, beating Al Shabab 4-3 in 2012/13 and losing last year’s decider 1-0 to Al Ain.

    The Blue Wave edged their most recent top-flight meetings, winning 1-0 away at Rashid Stadium and drawing the return fixture 2-2 as they finished two places above the deposed champions in fifth. 

    But for Jovanovic, these achievements are meaningless when it comes to deciding who will triumph in Al Ain this evening.

    “Al Ahli are playing in their third final in three years and have experience in these kind of games,” the 52-year-old said in front of a packed pre-match press conference. “But league and cup games are totally different. 

    “You cannot compare them when saying the importance of the game.

    “No importance can be attached to what we did in the league against them. But in the last two years, we have played two finals in the GCC Club Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup. Now is the first time we have played together in the President’s Cup final.

    “Al Ahli is a strong and excellent opponent to play and if we want to win this trophy we need to win this game.

    “We know everything about Ahli, they know all about us – there are no secrets between these teams.

    “We want to win and need to do an excellent game defensively and offensively. You don’t need special preparation when you play a final.”

    Nasr have made it this far the hard way. They needed extra time in the round of 16 to edge past Sharjah, beat holders Al Ain with an 89th-minute Ibrahima Toure strike in the next stage and required penalties to defeat GCC conquerors Al Shabab in the last-four. 

    Jovanovic has helped to push Nasr forward since he joined, building on the good work of predecessor Walter Zenga.

    He recently inked a long-agreed two-year extension to his contract, in a sign of the club’s continuing contentment with his work. 

    Victory in the President’s Cup will be extra special, ending a 26-year drought in the UAE’s most prestigious tournament.

    Jovanovic believes a healthy relationship with the Blue Wave board and players was key to his success at Al Maktoum Stadium.

    “One thing that is very important for a coach is communication,” he said.

    “First of all is communication with the board concerning real targets for the club and team.

    “Communication is also very important with the players as they have to understand what we want. 

    “I will say I am a lucky coach, because I have to deal with players who understand the needs of the team. They are the ones who play and give all effort on field in the games. We have a consultant role and I have good players in the team and good personalities.”

    Nasr captain Brett Holman – who could be playing his last game for the Blue Wave with talks yet to begin about extending his rapidly-expiring contract – was convinced the club’s steady progress has given them the perfect preparation.

    “It has been a stairway to the President’s Cup, with the GCC Club Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup,” the 31-year-old midfielder said. 

    “The challenges become bigger every time.”

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