Ali double as Jazira get point

Al Jazira picked up their first point in the Etisalat Cup with a 2-2 away result against Al Wasl in Dubai last night.

Essa Ali put the home side ahead in the opening minute and later fired an equaliser after Jazira had scored twice through Ali Mabkout, who cancelled the lead out in the 10th minute, and Ahmed Jumaa, who put them ahead in the 72nd minute.

Ali scored in the very first move and was lucky to get a second when another goalmouth clearance from Sami Rabea, the Jazira defender, hit him on the leg and landed in the back of the net, two minutes after Jumaa had run through the Wasl defence to score with a low shot from 30 yards.

Jazira were left with 10 players on the pitch after Sultan Ramadan was booked for the second time and sent off with two minutes left in added time.

Abel Braga, the Jazira coach, fielded the reserves, and gave Rashid Abdulrahman, the defender, his first game for the season, after returning from injury.

Kalba and Dubai, the two promoted clubs, picked up their second point in as many matches to remain unbeaten in the cup competition.

Kalba played out a scoreless draw with Al Shabab at the Maktoum bin Rashid stadium and Dubai drew 1-1 with Al Ain.Jose Sand scoring the equaliser for Ain just past the hour mark after Michael N'dri had put the visitors ahead.

Shabab head Group B on four points with Jazira and Kalba sharing second place on two apiece. Al Ain moved to the top of Group A on four points with Dubai in third, and Baniyas, who play Al Wahda tonight, in second, having beaten Al Nasr 2-1 in their opening match.

* Compiled by Amith Passela