Al Ain start with a bang

Abu Dhabi: Powered be a tremendous display by their three professionals, Al Ain made the perfect start in the UFL, the UAE's first ever professional league with a 4-0 win over Sharjah.

The nine-time league champions led 2-0 at the break and got their goals through Andre Diaz (2nd minute), Jorge Valdivia (45th), Soufiane Alloudi (54th minute penalty) and substitute Salem Abdullah (82nd minute penalty).

Nicknamed El Mago (the magician), Chilean striker Valdivia proved why he was reportedly paid 90.5 million dirhams by the 2003 Asian club champions as he had a hand in the opening goal within two minutes from the start. His powerful shot in the opening minute was blocked by Mohammad Almas and Valdivia himself took the resultant flagkick which saw Brazilian striker Andre Diaz score in the second minute.

After Al Ain's veteran goalkeeper Moataz Abdullah brought off two good saves including one off a powerful shot from Rashid Abdullah, Valdivia cast a spell with his magic during the first half injury time. Diaz was brought down just outside the box and Valdivia's delicate strike brooked no answer from the Sharjah custodian bringing the home fans on to their feet.

Midway through the second half, Abdullah Saif shoved Diaz inside the box and Moroccan import Soufiane Alloudi made no mistake with the penalty. The Moroccan himself earned another penalty in the 82nd minute when he was felled by Almas and young Abdullah Salem, who had just come in as a substitute, made it 4-0 for Al Ain.

In the other matches, recent Super Cup winners Al Ahli scored a 4-2 win over Al Nasr in a Dubai derby while Al Dhafra beat Al Khaleej 3-1 in an away match. Al wasl eked out a 1-0 win over Ajman in the fourth match of the opening night of the UFL, the UAE's first ever professional league.

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