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Al Wahda v Al Nasr Pre-Match Press Conference

Al Wahda head coach Branko Ivankovic expects a tough game against Al Nasr at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday, as both teams battle to obtain a top-four finish in the Etisalat Pro League. With Al Nasr just one point and one position ahead of Al Wahda in 5th and 6th respectively, there is plenty to play for in a match the manager anticipates will be fiercely fought. “There will be a strong rivalry between the two teams in this game, due to our proximity to one another in the League with only one point separating us, so I think it will be a balanced game with a lot of enthusiasm on display,” Ivankovic said at his pre-match press conference. The Croatian observed that Al Nasr are a great team and have demonstrated great strength and character recently, particularly coming back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Al Jazira in the last round, and the Blue Wave can boast talented players such as the Brazilian Leonardo Lima, Italian striker Giuseppe Mascara and Japanese international Takayuki Morimoto, as well as strong local players including Habib Al Fardan.

Ivankovic confirmed that UAE national team defender Hamdan Al Kamali continues to miss out due to injury, but Senegalese striker Papa Waigo continues to return to full strength having featured against Al Wasl in the last match following recovery from surgery.