Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
How they qualified: 3rdplace - UAE Pro League 2011
Established 1945
Nickname The Blue Wave
Home stadium Al Maktoum Stadium (10, 241)
Website www.alnasrclub.com
Club Honours
UAE league champions 3 - 1978, 79, 86
President's Cup winners 3 - 1985, 86, 89
Previous ACL appearances
Nil
After finishing just one spot above the relegation zone in the United Arab Emirates Pro League in the 2009-10 season, Al Nasr have made great strides in the past two years to put themselves back in the thick of the championship battle.
A force in UAE football from the 1970s to the late 1990s, a period in which they won three league titles and three President's Cups, the venerable Dubai club had endured lean times since the turn of the Millennium.
It all culminated in their struggle to avoid the drop two seasons ago in a campaign tinged with tragedy following the death of UAE international striker Salem Saad, who suffered a heart attack during a training session early in the season.
The 2010-11 campaign began badly as well for the 'Blue Wave' but they improved after the mid-season appointment of Italian coach Walter Zenga and rounded off the campaign with four straight wins that helped them to finish third, their highest placing in the league in 11 years, which also secured them a spot in the AFC Champions League for the first time.
Zenga strengthened his squad in the summer by signing Australia international midfielder Mark Bresciano. The season began badly with just one point from the first three games, but Al Nasr went unbeaten in their next 11 matches to put themselves firmly in contention for a first league title in 26 years.
Expectations
Al Nasr have not competed on the Asian stage since 1988 after twice withdrawing from continental tournaments during the 1990s. But while they lack experience in the AFC Champions League, the quality of their squad and their good form in the UAE Pro League this season makes them a team to watch in this year's competition.
Coach
Walter Zenga
Former Italy international goalkeeper Walter Zenga has made a huge impact at Al Nasr since he was appointed as their head coach in January 2011. The 51-year-old, who had coached in the United States, Romania, Serbia and Turkey since his retirement as a player, led his side on a late surge that helped them to snatch third place in the UAE Pro League last season. And he has them challenging again for the league title this season after overcoming an indifferent start to the campaign.
Did you know?
Formed in Dubai in 1945, Al Nasr are the oldest club in the United Arab Emirates. In their early years, they regularly organised friendly matches against teams from the British military forces and petroleum companies stationed in the area. They played at various locations in Dubai before moving into the newly-built Al Maktoum Stadium in 1978.
Key Player
Luca Toni
Former Italy international striker Luca Toni was signed by Al Nasr in January after he went through a disappointing spell at Italian giants Juventus. A strong and powerful centre-forward who stands 1.96m tall, the 34-year-old Toni has been a prolific goalscorer wherever he has played during his long career. He netted 31 goals for Italian side Fiorentina in the 2005-06 season before helping Italy to win the World Cup later that year.