Boss Ivan Jovanovic has demanded an instant response to the low point of his three-year Al Nasr reign when Dibba Al Fujairah travel to Al Maktoum Stadium on Thursday night.

The third-placed Blue Wave only lost 1-0 at Al Wahda last Friday, but they were second best throughout against rivals for AFC Champions League qualification.

“After losing the last game against Al Wahda, we have a real need for a good game and a win against Dibba,” said Jovanovic, who joined from Cyprus’ APOEL in June 2013.

“The first half-hour against Al Wahda was, for me, the worst 30 minutes we have played during my time as coach of Al Nasr.”

Meanwhile, Al Jazira playmaker Thiago Neves has urged his team-mates to keep up their momentum in Thursday night’s Abu Dhabi derby against Bani Yas.

Henk ten Cate’s men have cast off their crisis-club status with three wins on the bounce in the last fortnight, which includes victory against Xavi’s Al Sadd in an ACL play-off.

“We have to win against Bani Yas, especially as the game is at home for us, and a win could move us up to seventh,” said Neves.

Elsewhere tonight, a win for Al Wasl at sinking Fujairah could seem them usurp Nasr. There is a relegation double-header tomorrow as bottom-placed Al Shaab host Sharjah and second-bottom Al Dhafra play Emirates Club.