The Al Nasr faithful gained both Bur Dubai pride and belief they finally possess the attacking power for a long-awaited tilt at the Arabian Gulf League-crown as Jires Kembo Ekoko inspired Monday’s 2-0 victory against Al Wasl.
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The summer signing from champions Al Ain was in inspired mood as his side made it a perfect three wins from three. The 27-year-old forward defiantly raised a fist to the sky in celebration as he opened his Blue Wave account in style, then putting on the afterburners to set-up fellow new boy Jonathan Pitroipa to seal it after the break.
The significance was lost on the angered travelling support, throwing shoes at their hosts as they celebrated the Burkina Faso winger’s strike in front of them. But victories like this show a 29-year wait to attain domestic dominance could be at an end for Ivan Jovanovic’s men, who are determined to build on 2014/15’s twin President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup successes.
“It is not easy to say what will happen,” the Serbian said. “I have been here for two years and my experience says every year the league becomes more difficult.”
Reality has bitten their neighbours hard since they opened the season with a fine 2-1 triumph at title chasers Al Jazira.
Frustration from a failed penalty appeal when Brazilian forward Caio Canedo – freshly available after he gained a Timor-Leste passport – was tripped by Ahmed Al Yassi in first-half injury time remained on coach Gabriel Calderon’s mind.
He said: “It’s difficult to lose. Maybe if we had been awarded the penalty we would have drawn the game or won. Al Wasl tried to play football, but Al Nasr didn’t.”
Kembo Ekoko was last through the door as Nasr revamped their four-player foreign quota, but he has made a quick impression. Tormented right-back Yaser Salem was given twisted blood on 20 minutes as he expertly worked space to fire home a grass-skimming rocket.
He stretched his legs again past the hour mark to charge through several challenges and tee up Pitroipa to delightfully curl home his opening Nasr goal.
The Blue Wave sat back from this point, earning the right to consolidate what they had as Caio wastefully fired in a number of efforts. On the early evidence, they will be in the 2015/16 title mix.
