Al Nasr host Al Jazira in the opening matchweek of the Arabian Gulf League, held under the slogan “commit to win”, at Al Maktoum Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off set for 9pm.
This marks Al Nasr’s first game of the season, as they qualified directly to the quarter-final of the Arabian Gulf Cup. On the other hand, the Pride of Abu Dhabi fell to a 2-1 defeat to Ittihad Kalba in the first leg of the Arabian Gulf Cup playoff round.
Al Nasr didn’t lose any of their friendly matches during pre-season, while Al Jazira chose not to sign any new foreign players and have only two foreigners within their ranks; Serbian Milos Kosanovic and South Africa's Thulani Serero.
Al Nasr coach Krunoslav Jurčić said that facing Al Jazira represents a difficult and important test for the team. He added, "we realize that we are facing a tough test and we will be playing against one of the top clubs in the Arabian Gulf League who have several players who can make a difference.”
Al Jazira coach Marcel Keizer echoed Jurčić’s thoughts, saying his team's match with Al Nasr will be "difficult and important." He explained that facing Al Nasr will test his team's readiness for the season. He added, "It will be a difficult match for both teams and enjoyable for fans.”
The two teams met twice in the opening matchweek of the Arabian Gulf League, with Al Jazira emerging winners in 2010 and Al Nasr winning in 2012.
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