Luis Jimenez insists Al Nasr can challenge for the Arabian Gulf League title as they prepare to welcome champions Al Ain to Dubai on Saturday.
The Boss have begun the defence of their title in style and sit top of the standings, while a resurgent Al Ahli have also recovered from their disastrous 2014-15 campaign which saw them finish seventh.
The Red Knights beat Al Shabab 2-1 on Thursday to maintain their perfect start to the campaign and go second in the table on goal difference ahead of Nasr.
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But the Blue Wave are also on a roll, and are the only other team in the AGL who are unbeaten this season. Chile schemer Jimenez says the two title favourites face a battle from Ivan Jovanovic’s men.
“Al Ain and Al Ahli are expected to fight for the title but I think we can fight them for the title,” said Jimenez.
“Maybe we won’t take it but we will try and I think we have the team to meet our targets. I don’t know if we will take it but for sure we have a good team to fight for it.”
Jimenez, who played four seasons for Ahli prior to his switch across the second city in the summer, feels his team’s 4-2 Arabian Gulf Super Cup defeat to Al Ain in August can fuel them this time around.
“It will be a hard game. They are a good team and like to play with the ball and keep possession,” said Jimenez.
“They have important players, most of them play in the national team, so for sure it will be a difficult game.
“We played in the Super Cup against them and I think we made a good game, for sure we can make better and we are playing on our field so it will be different.”
Nasr inflicted a 3-2 defeat on Al Jazira as the AGL swung back into action last week after the international break, and Jimenez believes fellow South American Nilmar, who scored the winning goal, gained the necessary confidence to help fire the Blue Wave to glory.
“For sure he can go on a run now and get the goals to help us challenge,” said the 31-year-old.
“Me and all the team and staff never question Nilmar’s qualities. We know what he can do for us. He’s running a lot and is one of the strikers who helps the team.
“Maybe he doesn’t always score but I score a lot and he opens up space. He defends very well so I think it’s important not who scores or who plays good. At Al Nasr we play like a team, 11 players, and we play all together for the same objective.”
Jimenez opened the scoring against the Pride of Abu Dhabi last Sunday, his sixth AGL goal in eight games, and admits he is enjoying his time at Al Maktoum Stadium.
“I am happy. I think I made a good choice to come here,” he said. “Until now everything is good. We are in a good way. We play good and I like the way that I play so I am enjoying it.”
