The Blue Wave appeared guaranteed to challenge on all fronts last month when new signing Wanderley marked his debut with a brace during an incredible 3-0 win at El Jaish in the quarter-finals of the continental competition.
But the AFC’s decision that the Indonesian passport, which saw the Brazil-born striker fulfil the Asian spot in the four-player foreign quota, was “forged or falsified”, resulting in a ban for 60 days and the club’s exit from the competition on Wednesday after the first leg was forfeited.
A trip to Al Dhafra is up first in the Arabian Gulf League today and Jovanovic hoped to help his players channel their disappointment.
“I try to find which is the right motivation to show my players to go to the right direction,” the 54-year-old said. “This is a great challenge for me and my players to react well, when things are difficult.”
The evening’s other fixture sees runners-up Al Ain host Bani Yas, for whom midfielder Fellipe Bastos will be the centre of attention.
The 26-year-old moved between the clubs this summer after only one season in the Garden City. “It will be very special for me against a strong team like Al Ain,” he said.
