Baniyas coach Jozef Chovanec turns his focus to the President's Cup

After "a satisfying" first half to their Pro League campaign, which has left them fourth in the table, Jozef Chovanec wants his Baniyas side to keep up the momentum by progressing in the President's Cup this week.

Baniyas were in impressive form on Sunday as they defeated Al Wasl 3-1, but Chovanec said that he and his players had their eyes on Thursday's tie with Dubai rather than reflecting on what they have already achieved.

"Our immediate task is to have the players focused on the upcoming game rather than to be thinking or talking of the win over Al Wasl," he said.

"But that is history now. We are now going in to a different competition, the knockout format in the President's Cup. And after this game, we can plan for the next half of the season."

The second half of the Pro League begins next month and there could be a change of personnel involving the squad's foreign players between now and then.

Chovanec may have to find an immediate replacement for Ismail Belmaalem, the Moroccan defender, who played just one game in the entire first half of the league.

Mohamed Zidan, who went off injured against Wasl, will also come under scrutiny as the Egyptian has not been a regular starter after suffering a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season.

However, Chovanec was not ready to divulge the future of the two players.

"As I said earlier, we will take time off after the next game to review and analyse the performances of the players.

"Yes, we may take advantage of the transfer window in January."

apassela@thenational.ae

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