Al Nasr have a five-star splash against Dubai

Al Nasr forward Eder Luis in control of the ball against their Dubai opposition in last night’s game. Afsal Sham / Al Ittihad

DUBAI // Even the light shower that unexpectedly greeted the players at Al Maktoum Stadium could not rain on Al Nasr’s parade.

A little drizzle hinted that it may be around that time of year when minds are cast forward and fresh resolutions made, a brief period not just of reflection, but projection.

Given the way the first half of the Arabian Gulf League season has gone for Nasr, the club should rightfully be awash with optimism.

Last night’s victory against a dogged Dubai club moved Ivan Jovanovic’s side to third in the standings, level on points with Sharjah and Al Jazira.

Midway through his first campaign in UAE football, and Jovanovic might have to begin tweaking some targets.

If he is, though, he is not letting on.

“It’s satisfying to be in third because if you’re towards the top, it makes you have more pressure as a team and gives you more of a push for the upcoming games to stay high in the table,” said the Serb, whose league career ledger reads seven wins, two draws and four defeats.

“As a team, I believe we must have this philosophy, to push ourselves to stay here.”

With a home match against Al Wahda next up, and then a trip to lowly Al Shaab, Nasr would expect to maintain their ascendancy.

The Dubai triumph extended an impressive run to four victories and a draw from six matches, and was secured by goals from Saoud Saeed, Habib Fardan, Brett Holman and a poacher’s double from Ibrahima Toure.

The Senegalese striker, signed in the summer following an inspired season with Monaco in France, now has 14 goals in 18 matches in all competitions.

In the league alone, he notches at every 0.93 games. Clearly, he was worthy of that protracted pursuit last year. However, singling players out contradicts Jovanovic’s team ethic.

“In general, I’m satisfied with the efforts of all my players,” he said.

“I don’t like to speak about individual players. We have four foreign players here to give support to the team, but until now I’m satisfied by all my players, both foreign and local.

“For me as a coach, all that is important is that they understand the philosophy of the game and train well.”

While Nasr can be content with proceedings at the top of the rankings – currently, they are nine points behind leaders Al Ahli – Dubai remain stuck at the other end, staring nervously over their shoulders.

A ninth defeat of 2013/14 means they are separated from Shaab, the bottom club, by a solitary point.

With Ahli up next, it is tin-hat time for the boys from Al Awer.

“We should ask ourselves many questions after this match, especially with a tough game to come,” said Umberto Barberis, the coach installed in November to ensure Dubai’s survival.

“We created a lot of chances in the first half, but I don’t know what we happened after the break.

“At the end of the day, I have to also take a lot of responsibility for the loss.”

REPORT CARD

* Al Nasr The hosts continue to click under Jovanovic and their second-half display was as good as you would see. Impressive in attack. 8/10

* Dubai Began brightly before returning after half time as a completely different side. Capitulated. 4/10

* Man of the match: Ibrahima Toure (Al Nasr) – The Senegalese moved cleverly for his double, but it was his flicked assist for the fifth that stood out.

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