DUBAI // It did not take long for Ivan Trickovski to make an impression. The Macedonian, a summer signing from Club Brugge in Belgium, had been robbed of a starting position at his latest club by injury, but within 18 minutes of Al Nasr’s match with Sharjah he had offered a clear sign of what is to come.
Entering the action at Al Maktoum Stadium to rapturous applause just after the hour mark – by this stage, Nasr were already two goals to the good – Trickovski sealed more applause when he provided an astute finish to round off the game in a decisive debut.
Ivan Jovanovic, his coach, knows well the player from time spent together during two fruitful seasons at Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus. It was little wonder, then, that he wore a broad grin in the immediate aftermath of what was a comprehensive victory for Nasr.
“I worked with Ivan for two years previously at Apoel, and it was two fantastic years,” Jovanovic said. “It was a time in which my team went to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Champions League and he was a big part of that.
“As a player, he gives us a lot of solutions, either playing on the wing or as a second striker, and, also knowing his character, I believe he’s a player who can give a lot to the club.”
Continue like this and it could be a case of Ibrahima Toure who? The Senegalese striker, Nasr’s top scorer in 2013/14, was an enforced absentee as he begins a four-match suspension for violent conduct in last week’s Arabian Gulf League opener against Baniyas.
Predictably, Jovanovic preferred to concentrate solely on what was a fine performance from his side. There was satisfaction, too, in that Hassan Mohammed gave Nasr a first-half lead – he stood in for Toure – before Ali Al Ameri doubled the advantage right on half-time.
“It’s unfair now to speak about last week’s red card,” Jovanovic said. “Today, Toure is a Nasr player and if we continue to speak about this we put aside the efforts of the players in today’s game. They deserve us to speak about their contribution.”
REPORT CARD
Star performer – Tariq Ahmed
In a game where everyone struggled to exert authority, the Emirati midfielder impressed. Patrolling the centre of the park alongside new signing Renan Garcia, Ahmed was the much busier, always neat in possession and intent on playing forward. His distribution was integral to Nasr gaining a foothold.
Underperformer – Leonardo Lima
Returning to the club he captained last season, the Brazilian midfielder was lethargic and lumbered around the pitch without making much of an impact. Lima looks out of shape, although, to be fair, he arrived at Sharjah at the tail end of pre-season. Vast improvement required.
Key moment
Until Brett Holman flicked on a hopeful ball up front, this had been a pretty hopeless encounter. The Australian, hugging the right touchline, glanced a defensive clearance onto Abdullah Qassim, who found plenty of space as he advanced towards the penalty area. Qassim, the summer signing from Al Jazira, then squared for the onrushing Hassan Mohammed to finish from close range. Finally, the game had its breakthrough.
Al Nasr rating – 7/10
Competent performance. Dominated possession and proved by far the more clinical. Coach Ivan Jovanovic has had a full year to work with his side and the Dubai club are clearly reaping the rewards.
Sharjah rating – 4/10
The visitors struggled in the heat and appeared sluggish. Their forward line was too easy to shackle and they miss a playmaker to link midfield and attack. Much work to be done.
The National’s verdict
Nasr seem set to challenge for a top-four place, yet a listless Sharjah need to swiftly get up to speed. At times, Paulo Bonamigo’s team are too ponderous and they clearly miss captain Fellype Gabriel. This, though, is still a transitional period for their new recruits from Brazil – and the stifling heat did not help.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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