Dubai: Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic said The Blue Wave’s 3-0 win at home to Sharjah on Sunday was proof that his side could cope without the services of Ebrahima Toure, now serving a four-match ban for punching a player.

The Senegalese striker was sent off for an assault on Mohammad Al Jabar in Al Nasr’s season-opening 1-1 draw away to Bani Yas last week, but Jovanovic’ team still took full points against Sharjah without their talisman.

Hassan Mohammad tapped the homeside in front from Abdullah Qassem’s cross on the half-hour and Ali Al Ameri headed a second before the break from Mahmoud Khamis’ corner. Debutant Ivan Trickovski then came off the bench to add a third before the whistle after Jamal Hussain scrambled Tariq Ahmad’s deflected shot back into the path of danger.

Jovanovic hailed his team’s effort: “We didn’t start with our first 11, what with Ebrahima Toure serving his ban and Ivan Trickovski carrying a small injury,” he said. “But I’m happy that Hassan Mohammad and Trickovski played well. For a striker, it’s very important to score on your debut and make your presence felt. Jamal Hussain also added freshness to the team.

“We want to work as a team throughout the year, for us that’s the most important thing, we don’t look at single persons but the team. If we only work as a team, we can cover any missing player.

“I try to take advantage of all in the players in my roster, we have good foreign players but also good locals and I believe in them. I don’t have any pressure not having a first 11 because I believe we can respond as a team on the field.”

Following his violent outburst, Toure has been linked with a move away from the club, but Jovanovic refused to comment. “It’s unfair to speak about Toure’s red card last week as it would overshadow the efforts of the rest of the team this evening. Toure is still an Al Nasr player, let’s speak about the efforts of the team today and in the future we will see what happens.”

Elsewhere, Sharjah coach Paulo Bonamigo admitted his side needed to improve after starting the season with two consecutive defeats, following up a 1-0 home loss to Al Ahli last week with this latest loss.

“We are not happy with the team’s performance,” he said. “The results are bad, I agree, we are not happy with the situation at all.

“We want to quickly fix these problems and improve, we don’t have much time until the next match at home to Kalba on Friday, but we will work extensively to improve.”