Action from the match between Al Jazira and Al Khaleej (in green). ©Gulf News |
Beccera, who hardly had much to do in the first session, did very well to beat the offside trap and then lob the ball past an advanced Al Khaleej custodian Salem Ahmed in the 55th minute.
Al Jazira, who are nursing ambitions of considerable success in this season's domestic football scene, now have won both their matches and seem to have made the right start.
However, despite the win it must be mentioned that Jazira did come under some pressure from Al Khaleej, newly-promoted from the second division.
Despite tasting their second successive loss the Sharjah-based, Al Khaleej were not disgraced and kept the highly-rated professional strike partners Beccera and Dario under control.
With the Al Jazira midfield taking time to settle down, it was their own goal with came under attack in the first half.
The Al Khaleej midfield comprising of Saeed Ali, Nabeel Khamis and the hardworking Brazilian Renato kept moving the ball into the rival box and Saeed Juma, the Jazira custodian had some work on hand.
Juma, the only player in this fast-improving Jazira squad of youngsters who brings in international experience apart from the two pros, first advanced to thwart Saeed Ali and later stretched fully to tip over a dipping essay by Renato.
With defender Mubarak Bilal taking on the responsibility of marking Beccera, the Colombian had just a couple of touches with Al Khaleej controlling the midfield.
However just before the close of the first half, Dario, the Mozambique player who was based in Portugal, had his progress baulked by Salem Ahmed who left his charge and received a yellow for his effort outside the box.
Off the very next move, Beccera was brought down by a Khaleej defender but both the free-kicks were wasted. Beccera then thrilled the home supported when he dribbled past two defenders and fed Dario, but the latter was again foiled by an advancing Salem Ahmed.
The Al Khaleej defenders, who had used the offside trap effectively, also paid the price when one such move backfired and Beccera moved in unchallenged. Seeing Salem leave his charge the Colombian lobbed into the far corner for what ultimately turned out to be the match-winner.
Dutch coach Peitr Hamberg, whorested some of his main players, brought in Mohammed Salem Al Ennazy, the former top scorer in the league who played for city rivals Al Wahda and the lanky striker added more bite to the Jazira attack.
Saeed Juma came up with two good saves late in the game, the second off Ludfi's fiercely struck free-kick to keep Jazira ahead. And during injury time, Ennazy almost made it 2-0 when he made full use of his height to head home but the ball hit the crossbar and rebounded into play.
