Al Nasr have never previously contested the Asian Champions League quarter-final. Victor Besa / The National
Al Nasr have never previously contested the Asian Champions League quarter-final. Victor Besa / The National
Al Nasr have never previously contested the Asian Champions League quarter-final. Victor Besa / The National
Al Nasr have never previously contested the Asian Champions League quarter-final. Victor Besa / The National

Sport

Asian Champions League: Al Nasr and El Jaish step into unknown territory in quarter-final clash

Al Nasr take on Qatar’s El Jaish in Doha on Wednesday in the first leg of their Asian Champions League quarter-final clash. John McAuley has the details.

John McAuley
John McAuley

August 23, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

Al Nasr take on Qatar's El Jaish in Doha on Wednesday in the first leg of their Asian Champions League quarter-final clash. John McAuley has the details.

Rookies

Neither Nasr nor El Jaish have previously made it this deep into the continent’s premier club competition. In fact, Nasr had never before progressed beyond the group stages in two attempts, but qualified this year by finishing second in Group A. They then defeated Iran’s Tractor Sazi 5-4 on aggregate to advance to the last eight.

Pedigree

El Jaish, second in last year’s Qatar Stars League, proved their pedigree in registering successive victories against Al Ain in the group stages to emerge as pool winners. In Sardor Rashidov and Romarinho, they have two impressive forwards at their disposal. Last week, El Jaish signed Seydou Keita, the former Barcelona midfielder.

• Who are El Jaish? A guide to Al Nasr's Asian Champions League quarter-final opponents

Recruits

Nasr were not overly busy in the summer transfer market. The club brought in Moroccan Abdelaziz Barrada from Marseille, who excelled at Al Jazira during the 2013/14 campaign, and Wanderley, the prolific Brazilian striker who shone at Sharjah these past two seasons. Former Baniyas midfielder Fawaz Awana was another notable addition.

Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic:

“It’s a very important match. A very difficult team and tough game for both. One of the two teams will go to semis so that’s the target,” he said. “For our team, tomorrow is a big day. It’s the first time we reach quarters. We will try to reach the semis. El Jaish is an excellent team. They showed this in the earlier stage ... As I said before. We will do our best to go to the next round.”

El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi:

“Nobody could have imagined to see El Jaish in this position. Of course it won’t be an easy game ... I feel the pressure for all games. We always play to win. We have the determination ... I prefer to play the first leg away but we are ready for this one.”

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

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