DUBAI // Luka Bonacic, the Al Nasr coach, will be looking to turn around a disappointing start to the season when "Victory" host Al Ahli tonight in the first round of the Etisalat Emirates Cup. Al Nasr have won just one game this season, 2-1 at Al Shaab. They have lost both their games at home: drubbed 4-2 by Al Ahli in the opening match and going down 3-2 against Al Sharjah after conceding two goals in the last 10 minutes.
The fans are upset and the team are in turmoil, with Iranian international defender Mohammed Nosrati banished to the reserves and fined US$10,000 (Dh37,000) for lack of committment. Mehrzad Madanchi, the best foreign player in the UAE last season, is struggling for form as he is forced to play out of his preferred position as striker, while Reza Enayati is yet to score a goal in three games. Pressure is building on Bonacic, but he said: "People should realise that I am not a magician - I cannot achieve results on my own. The players need to start fighting if they want to change the situation.
"Of course, I am not shying away from responsibility - I am not afraid of taking responsibility. I have a contract with the club and I am committed to the side - everyone should know that. But I cannot score goals on the field or stop penalties from being conceded or goals being scored. "I will work hard with the players and strive for results till the last second of my contract. But I cannot do it alone. Everyone, without exception, must fight on the field to change the situation."
Al Ahli will be happy to return to the Al Maktoum Stadium, where they beat Al Shabab for the Super Cup and opened their UFL campaign with a resounding win. The "Red Knights" were crushed 4-1 at Al Wahda in their last league game, and Iranian international Milad Meydavoudi insists that loss will serve as a wake-up call for the side. Meydavoudi was part of the President's Cup winning Al Ahli side last season, but has been relegated to the reserves with the arrival of the Brazilian Jader Volnei Spindler "Bare". The Iranian, however, turned down many lucrative offers to return to Al Ahli and hopes to work his way to the first team.
"The loss to Wahda is just a minor setback," said Meydavoudi, who should be making his debut for Al Ahli this season at Al Nasr. "We are a top side and we will bounce back strongly in the next game." Sharjah, after their morale boosting wins over Al Shabab and Nasr in the last two UFL games, travel to Al Dhafra for their Emirates Cup opener. "Dhafra will not be an easy game," warned the Sharjah coach Youssef al Zawawi.
The Dhafra coach Mohammed Kwid is keen to blood youngsters in the game. Kwid said "I have full confidence in the youngsters and I believe they are as good as the players in the first XI." Al Wasl, who have one win this season, travel to Al Shaab for their first cup engagement. Shaab, who are the only side in the UFL along with Al Khaleej not to win a game this season, will be looking to finally get some points. arizvi@thenational.ae
