Juma happy with opening strike

Abu Dhabi:  Despite complaining about the heat and humidity, Ahmad Juma, the Al Jazira super-sub and winning card, was happy with his performance that helped them beat Al Nasr 3-0.

Juma was introduced by Abel Braga, Al Jazira's head coach, in the 67th minute to replace Ali Mabkhoot while his team was leading with a single goal scored by right fullback Khalid Sabeel in the 31st minute.

Juma helped in his team's second goal scored by left fullback Abdullah Mousa in the 74th minute and then sealed the result in the second minute of injury time when he was sent clear by Abdullah Qasim to beat Esmail Rabie, the visiting custodian.

"It is a pleasure to score in my team's first match." Juma told Gulf News.

"We, the local young strikers, do not get the chance to play regularly with the outstanding foreign professional strikers which our club bring. So when we find the chance, we grab it and make the best of it. I am happy that even during the training camp this summer I have scored some goals which was the reason why I was given the chance to play tonight.

Mutual understanding

"This season, Al Jazira will not be satisfied with finishing second best. All the players are determined to win the title. We have a better team this time despite the fact that we missed some world class players like Rafael Sobis and Ricardo Oliveira but we enjoy more mutual understanding and became like a family and we trust each other totally and every player helps his other colleagues whether from on or off the field.

"I played tonight because Bare was serving a suspension while Ali [Mabkhoot] and Tony were exhausted from the weather. I don't think it suitable to play in such heat and humidity bearing in mind that we have been fasting all the day and it is natural that the players, from all the teams, fail to show their true worth and capabilities. I played for about 25 minutes and I feel like I have been playing for two continuous hours. The weather is inhumane and saps the energy of the players, specially the foreigners."

RESULTS

(Played on Friday at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Jazira Club)

Al Jazira 3 Al Nasr 0

Half-time: 1-0

(Played on Friday at Maktoum Stadium, Al Nasr Club)

Kalba 0 Sharjah 3

Half-time: 0-0