DUBAI // More than a quarter of a century has passed since Al Nasr last won the league and Al Wasl have been in a flux since their 2006/07 double.
These years of disappointment have, however, failed to diminish the status of the rivalry between these two sides and the Bur Dubai derby remains one of the most anticipated events in UAE football.
The two rivals will go head-to-head again tonight and their fans have been preparing for the day, baiting each other for the past week on social media.
Officials from the two clubs have been online as well, urging fans to stay calm and reminding them about the spirit of the game.
That spirit, however, could be challenged once the two teams walk out to the pitch at the Al Maktoum Stadium, with possibly packed stands roaring them on.
Ivan Jovanovic, the Al Nasr manager, realises that too but hopes his players will not allow the emotions and the occasion to get the better of them.
“This is the oldest derby in UAE football and so it is a special game,” said the Serbian. “This match is different from the other games because of the emotions involved.
“So we can expect to see a highly competitive game, but we will have to keep our emotions in check because usually small things are the deciding factor in such matches. We have to make sure we remain focused right through the game and think only of playing good football, a game worthy of our team. This is all I am going to tell the players.”
Nasr and Wasl are both on 13 points, along with Al Ain, and Jovanovic is keen to see his team put up the same kind of performance they did in a 2-1 win at Al Jazira last week.
The coach, however, knows Wasl are going to be a formidable opponent given their performance in the last two games under new manager Hector Cuper – a 3-1 win at Dubai and a 3-3 draw against Al Wahda.
“Wasl have looked really good in their last two matches,” Jovanovic said. “They have quality local players and I have a lot of respect for their coach, who has a lot of experience in Europe.”
Having managed team likes Valencia and Inter Milan earlier in his career, Cuper, of course, knows all about the big derby games and the difficulty of these matches.
“I fully understand the importance of this game,” said Argentine. “And all across the world, such games are decided by the smallest details. So we have to be alert right through and make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes we made in the last game.”
Leonarda Lima will make a return for the hosts after missing the last few games due to injury, but Tariq Ahmed and Ahmed Khamis will miss the derby due to suspension. Cuper will have all his players available, but he will be aware Wasl have not won a derby game since 2009. Nasr have won four of the nine Bur Dubai derbies since, while five have ended in a stalemate.
However, Humaid Al Tayer, a member of Nasr’s Board of Directors, is expecting this game to be different.
“This match will be very different from the previous seasons because Wasl have been looking really good, especially in their last two matches,” Al Tayer said.
“So it should be an exciting game, played at a high level and enjoyable for the fans of both teams.”
arizvi@thenational.ae
Dubai v Ajman
Ajman will be without Idris Fettouhi tonight for their trip to basement side Dubai, and the absence of the playmaker worries coach Abdulwahab Abdulqadir. “We rely too much on his skills and abilities, and unfortunately, we will miss him against Dubai,” said the Iraqi.
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