Milos Kosanovic: Al Jazira is a big club and always have big targets

Serb defender, 30, hopes to build on impressive debut campaign cut short by coronavirus

Al Jazira defender Milos Kosavonic promotes the club's new away strip. Courtesy Al Jazira FC

Milos Kosanovic is hoping to play a more prominent role in Al Jazira's future after his first season at the club was curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Serbian defender had established himself at the Arabian Gulf League before the 2019/20 campaign was called off in March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Jazira were in third spot, seven points behind the leaders Shabab Al Ahli Dubai with seven games left, when the league was cancelled.

“The first year was very good for me,” Kosanovic said during the unveiling of the club’s Puma kit launch in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

“From the first day I came here, everything was fine just like I planned. I was very happy with the team and everything went well but unfortunately, we couldn’t finish the league.

“That was the only thing that disappointed us a bit because we thought we can achieve something more.”

The capital club are still seeking their first league win of the season after opening with two draws and next face Kalba at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.

Kosanovic said keeping the core of the team from last season was a big advantage with coach Marcel Keizer able to impress his ideas on the squad as they aim to challenge for honours.

“Jazira is a big club and always have big targets,” Kosanovic added. “Let us see, where it will lead. At the moment, I’m very happy with the team and I hope things will stay like this.”

Jazira recently added Nigeria international forward Imoh Ezekiel to their squad and Kosanovic believes the free agent can add pace to their attacking ranks.

“For sure he will help us because he is a fast player looking for space behind the defence,” Kosanovic said.

“This is also what we need. He can make us only better so I’m looking forward to seeing him and I hope he will be helpful for the team.”

Kosanovic, 30, began his career at local club Mladost Apatin in 2007 before spells in Poland and Belgium with Cracovia and Mechelen and Standard Liege respectively before arriving in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

He earned his sole cap for Serbia in 2015 against France and said he misses the thrill of playing in front of packed stadiums in Europe, something notably missing from UAE football even before the authorities banned fans from attending due to the novel coronavirus.

“In Europe, this is special but there are not many people in stadiums here,” he said.

“We need to find other ways to get the motivation. The motivation at Jazira is that we are playing in a big club and chasing big targets.

“We need to win every game to showcase ourselves in the best way. This is what keeps you awake. In a club like Jazira you always have competition with other players. You always need to be good to keep your place on the pitch. This is what keeps you awake all the time.”