Al Nasr backed to topple Al Ahli and Al Ain

Matt Monaghan - Senior Football Writer 15:44 09/08/2016
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    • Mahmoud Khamis.

    Rejuvenated Al Nasr have never been closer to toppling the Arabian Gulf League’s giants, according to left-back Mahmoud Khamis.

    Smart summer business has seen the Blue Wave snap up Brazilian striker Wanderley, Morocco playmaker Abdelaziz Barrada and emerging UAE midfielder Fawaz Awana. Their historic debut run into the AFC Champions League’s knockout stages is also set to continue with August 24’s opening quarter-final tie at Qatar’s El Jaish.

    These factors have combined to ensure coach Ivan Jovanovic’s men look well poised to improve on last term’s fourth-placed finish, finally offering a genuine threat to perennial contenders Al Ahli and Al Ain.

    “Every year we try to challenge` these two team,” 28-year-old Khamis said. “I am sure this year will be different, I am sure about that.

    “We know that this season is very important for us.We need to concentrate about all these competitions.

    “We know that we have a very important game on the 24th. We are working hard for that and trying to prepare ourselves for that game.

    “It will not be easy, but we will try to give our best. We want to be at our best.

    “I think the game will not be easy for both of us. I am sure we will give our best to finish, Inshallah, with a good result, Inshallah.

    “I have a feeling this season will be different.”

    Steady progress has been witnessed since Khamis joined from Al Wahda in January 2014. The 2014 GCC Club Cup ended a 12-year spell without silverware prior to the Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup’s double of 2014/15, with a record run now ongoing in continental competition.

    The additions of powerful No9 Wanderley – who scored 32 goals in 51 AGL matches at struggling Sharjah – and Barrada – who previously excelled at Al Jazira before a June 2014 move to Marseille – has further boosted hopes that a 30-year wait to lift the top-flight crown could be about to end.

    “We know them and have played against them in the last few years,” said Khamis of the new buys. “We know them very well.

    “They are good players. I am sure they will help us to reach our target.

    “Even in the training, they try to give their best. They try to do something for the team.

    “I can see from their eyes in training that they are serious. I am very happy for them to be with us.

    “Inshallah, we try to help them.”

    Nasr gained a third-successive win during their pre-season tour of Poland on Monday, unwanted Brazil striker Nilmar striking twice in a 6-0 thrashing of Bytovia Bytow.

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