Coach Zoran Mamic is convinced Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain are not “in a bad period”, despite looking to end a shock losing spell against promoted Bani Yas on Sunday.
The top fight and President’s Cup double winners were turned over by title rivals Al Jazira and Sharjah during two of their last three matches. This has led to talk of a crisis at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
“I’m not happy with the outcome in the last round, for sure, because no one likes to lose,” Mamic said. “We want to be stronger, more focused and more effective than in our last game on the pitch.
“Bani Yas is a very good team and has made strong performances against strong teams such as Al Jazira and Al Wasl.
“I do not think that we are currently in a bad period, but we have lost two games and at the moment of loss we need real support.”
Meanwhile, surprise leaders Sharjah are fully aware of the danger posed by yo-yo club Ittihad Kalba’s imposing foreign legion.
Hungary winger Balazs Dzsudzsak and Ivory Coast forward Giovanni Sio have both impressed since their summer arrivals.
“This season, there are no easy teams and most of the clubs have succeeded in their contracts with foreigners,” said Sharjah boss Abdulaziz Al Anbari, whose charges boast a four-point cushion to Jazira.
Al Nasr tactician Ivan Jovanovic is confident 2018/19 can still bring joy to his side.
Alvaro Negredo and Yohan Cabaye’s Blue Wave are unbeaten in their last four games, after losing their opening quartet.
“There are still 18 games remaining in the league, and the opportunity is still available for the team to restore its normal position,” said Jovanovic ahead of the visit of improving Al Dhafra.
