Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Congolese striker Jires Kembo-Ekoko will be available to coach Ivan Jovanovic as Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates attempt to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg against Qatar’s El Jaish in the return leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday evening.
Kembo-Ekoko (pictured, right) missed the first meeting in Doha three weeks ago, which Al Nasr won 3-0 only for the result to be annulled by the Asian Football Confederation’s disciplinary committee after the club from the United Arab Emirates was judged to have fielded an ineligible player.
Brazil-born striker Wanderley scored twice in the game, but the AFC awarded the tie to El Jaish, with the Qataris given a 3-0 win after the Al Nasr striker was determined to have been ineligible for the game.
“During the previous period we were preparing for the match on the basis of the win that we had in the first leg,” said Jovanovic of the situation facing his team. “However the decision of the AFC disappointed us a lot. The players are now very sad and we will try our best to get them out of this situation.”
No team has ever overcome a three-goal deficit to advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League, and both clubs are making their first-ever appearance in the last eight of the continental club competition.
Despite the disappointment, Jovanovic stressed that his team would be focused on trying to record a win over El Jaish and keep their hopes of a first-ever continental club championship title alive.
“We have prepared well in the recent period in order to get to this stage and we will keep working with the same spirit that we have in order to get past this stage although our task will not be easy,” he said.
“Our fans helped us a lot in the AFC Champions League this season and they must have confidence that we are a strong team and we will give our best to prepare the players mentally in order to get past this match.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports