DUBAI // The time for jokes is over.
Al Nasr captain Brett Holman has spent much of the past week ribbing his Emirati teammates about the UAE’s semi-final loss to Australia in the Asian Cup, but the Sydney-born midfielder says his side are united and focused on one thing tonight: Securing Al Nasr their first domestic trophy in 25 years.
Holman, who retired from international football shortly before the World Cup last summer, watched from afar as his country of birth beat his country of residence 2-0 to secure a place in tomorrow’s continental final.
Before Australia face South Korea, though, Holman’s Nasr will meet Sharjah in the Arabian Gulf Cup final at Rashid Stadium.
“After Australia beat the UAE I had a little bit of fun with the boys and a little bit of joking and stuff, but it’s all been in good spirits,” Holman said.
“It’s fun to see Australia reach the final, but there is only one thing on my mind and that is winning [tonight]. That’s the only thing important to me.”
Holman, who joined Nasr from Aston Villa in 2013, helped lead coach Ivan Jovanovic’s team to the GCC Clubs Championship title last May. Yet the Dubai-based side have not lifted a domestic trophy since winning the Arabian Gulf Super Cup in 1990.
Jovanovic is aware of the importance of winning national titles, and he is aided in his quest by having a full squad from which to choose.
Pablo Hernandez, the former Spain international and a recent acquisition from Al Arabi of Qatar, is eligible but not expected to start.
“It’s a very important game for us because it will be the first time my team is playing for a trophy in the Emirates,” Jovanovic said.
“To reach a final for the second time in such a short period is proof that we are going in the right direction in order to reach the level we want to be at as a team, and it is a pleasant sensation to work with these players.”
When Nasr beat Omani side Saham in the GCC Clubs Championship final at Maktoum Stadium, 12,000 fans crammed in to create an atmosphere rarely witnessed in the Emirates.
Tonight, with Nasr and Sharjah having both taken their full ticket allocations, the 9,600-capacity Rashid Stadium is expected to produce similar noise.
“We expect a good atmosphere in the field,” Jovanovic said. “Sharjah are a good team who deserve to be in the final, having not lost a game in the group stages. But there are no favourites.
“Finals always tend to be decided by small details. The only thing we can promise is we will give our best to try to win the title for everybody associated with the club.”
PAST GULF CUP FINALS
Al Ahli 2 – 1 Al Jazira
April 19, 2014
Last year’s final was played in the neutral city of Al Ain where an Ali Mabkhout penalty gave Jazira the lead. However, two second-half goals, the first by Grafite and the winner by Ismail Al Hammadi, meant the trophy went back to Dubai on the Ahli team bus.
Ajman 2 – 1 Al Jazira
May 14, 2013
Ricardo Oliveira gave Jazira an early lead netting in the sixth minute, but Ajman fought back scoring twice before the break through Founeke Sy and Boris Kabi and defneded resolutely in the second half to hold on for the win.
Al Ahli 1 – 1 Al Shabab [Ahli win 5-2 on penalties]
May 21st, 2012
With Kieza opening the scoring in the ninth minute, Shabab held on for 72 minutes before Grafite converted from the spot to force extra-time. Neither team managed to find the breakthrough so a shootout ensued and when Adel Abdullah crucially missed for Shabab, Ahli lifted the trophy.
Al Ain 2 – 3 Al Shabab
April 29, 2011
The craziest final in the cup’s history. Al Ain led through an early own goal, but Ciel equalised in the 70th minute. With three minutes left and extra time looking certain, Julio Cesar gave Shabab the lead only to see Saeed Juma equalise in the 91 minute. Yet there was another twist: Ciel, in the third minute of injury time, fired to give Shabab a historic, dramatic win.
Al Jazira 2 – 0 Ajman
May 21, 2010
The last time the team who scored first managed to hold on to win. Played at Al Nasr’s Maktoum Stadium, two late goals by Ali Mabkhout and Sultan Bargash Almenhali ensured the Abu Dhabi club took the title back to the capital. Jazira have reached the final twice since, but never managed to hold on to the lead.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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