Al Nasr must look within themselves to find the cure for their current ails, according to coach Ivan Jovanovic. The Blue Wave have been in dismal form since lifting the Arabian Gulf Super Cup, taking 12 points from a possible 27.

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Their downwards spiral away from the Asian qualification spots continued on Saturday, Arabian Gulf League leaders Al Ain coming from behind to win 2-1 at Al Maktoum Stadium.

“These players give a lot to me as a coach and to the Al Nasr fans,” said Jovanovic, whose side are now 20 points off leaders Al Ain. “But I’m with my players and we alone are going to find a solution for the remaining games.” 

Meanwhile, coach Paulo Bonamigo has declared the only way is up for Sharjah after they secured their top-flight future.

Saturday’s 4-1 win over second-bottom Ajman ensured the Orange Brigade could not overtake them because of an inferior head-to-head record.

“After we affirmed our survival in the professional league next season, we will now look for improving our position in the overall standings,” Bonamigo said.

Already-relegated Ittihad Kalba claimed “an important moral victory” against their critics with a 1-0 triumph against Al Dhafra, according to caretaker coach Walid Obeid.

Obeid said: “The Kalba players responded to sceptics of their abilities. We achieved an important moral victory, after Kalba dropped to the first division.”