Sport | Football
Al Ain off to flying start in new league
Chilean striker Jorge Valdivia along with Brazilian Andre Diaz and Moroccan Soufiane Alloudi dazzled on a night when nine-time league champions Al Ain got off to a perfect start in the UFL, the UAE's first ever professional football league.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:52 September 20, 2008
- Chile's Jorge Valdivia sparkled for Al Ain as they defeated Sharjah 4-0 in the UFL.
- Image Credit: AP
Abu Dhabi: Chilean striker Jorge Valdivia along with Brazilian Andre Diaz and Moroccan Soufiane Alloudi dazzled on a night when nine-time league champions Al Ain got off to a perfect start in the UFL, the UAE's first ever professional football league.
Diaz (2nd minute), Valdivia (45th), Alloudi (54th minute penalty) and substitute Salem Abdullah (82nd minute penalty) helped themselves as a virtual new-look Al Ain crushed Sharjah 4-0 to thrill their home supporters on Friday night.
While the three pros and the youngster Salem made their presence felt with goals, Al Ain's German coach Winfried Schaefar and the club's management would certainly have felt elated with the way their other new recruits performed in the purple colours of the 2003 Asian club champions.
Revelation
Muhanad Al Ennazy was a revelation in central defence and with his constant forays inside the box during flag-kicks and free-kicks. Abdullah Malallah, wearing the no24 jersey which was made famous by Subait Khater who has now defected to Al Jazira, was outstanding in the midfield while Saif Mohammad, another recent acquisition was a workhorse on the left flank. Fares Juma, Hilal Saeed, Mohammad Fayez and Ahmad Modhed were equally impressive while Moataz Abdullah in goal brought off some early saves which helped Al Ain stave off Sharjah's attacks.
All four goals came of set pieces and that will certainly ensure that the club forgets the departure of Subait.
Schaefer, who thanked the fans for their support said the match was not as easy as the score line suggests.
"We did make mistakes in the first half where we focused on the midfield and forgot to use the wings. We spoke about this at the break and it was a better display in the second half," said the German, who led Al Ahli to the league title three seasons ago.
Commenting on a brilliant strike off a free-kick by Valdivia during injury time of the first half, Schaefer said that goals helped Al Ain take control.
Rival coach Yousuf Al Zawavy said his team missed the services of four regular players.
"We missed four main players today while two others are yet to get a feel of football at this level. We need to encourage them and this is just the beginning, they will improve," the Sharjah coach said.
"I am aware that we did not score but I am satisfied from the technical point of view. I believe my team played well though it is not their best," he added.
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