(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Al Nasr coach Cesare Prandelli believes that his side can bounce back and give a good account against Al Jazira in the third round of the Arabian Gulf Cup.
The Blues host Al Jazira in a Group A fixture at another temporary home - the Rashid bin Saeed Stadium - in Ajman on Friday night. Al Nasr top the group with four points, with a win and draw, while Al Jazira too have a win and a draw. But Prandelli's men are ahead on goal difference and they have kept clean sheets in both their games against Ajman and Hatta.
But the tussle against Al Jazira represents their biggest test yet in a group that also includes Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Al Nasr come into the game against Al Jazira on the back of a hurting 2-0 loss against their fierce rivals down the road - Al Wasl - in the Bur Dubai Derby, in the Arabian Gulf League.
And while Al Nasr have had a slow-burning start to the season, they will seek inspiration from the stunning 4-2 win against Al Jazira in September, which ignited their League campaign.
"The atmosphere has been good in training despite the fluctuation in the results. The players are professionals and everyone is keen on overcoming the defeat and preparing well for the next challenge," Prandelli said at his pre-match press briefing at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Wednesday.
"The players have a strong personality and appreciate the responsibility. They are always striving hard to develop their performance in order to provide the best always," he added.
The former Italy coach said that it was a long term project in developing this set of players. "I'm here to work for a two-year project and I'm looking at finding factors that are always motivating players to develop their performance and reach the top of the technical and physical readiness. Everyone here is working hard to reach their goal," he said.
Al Nasr have been riddled with injuries with Lebanese defender Joan Oumari ruled out against Al Jazira. Salem Saleh, Marcelo Cirino, Masoud Sulaiman and Mubarak Saeed are in doubt but Prandelli said that they are preparing on alternatives.
"We are still suffering from injuries and absences, which always deprive us of the team. But we will continue to work with new ideas and prepare more than one alternative in case of emergencies," said the 60-year-old.
With Al Jazira too plagued with injuries, Prandelli it will be an open game. "It will be a strong confrontation, especially as the two teams are always playing to win. I expect an open and fun game for the fans, he said.
Prandelli was also pleased that Khalifa Mubarak and Jassim Yaqoub have been called-up to the UAE squad by new coach Alberto Zaccheroni for the friendlies against Haiti and Uzbekistan. The pair join Tariq Ahmed and Mahmoud Khamis as the other Al Nasr players in the squad.
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