AL AIN // Jose Sand and Marcio Emerson scored on their Pro League debuts as Al Ain made a winning start to the season, beating Al Nasr 2-0.
The Argentine striker Sand put his side ahead midway through the first-half from a spot-kick and the Brazilian doubled the lead with a minute left on the clock from another penalty at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium last night.
Winfried Schaefer's men could have won by a wider margin had they been on target from the chances they created.
Sand split the Nasr defence to send Jorge Valdivia through on goal on 20 minutes, but the Chile international was brought down by Mohammed Ibrahim with only the goalkeeper Ismail Rabea to beat. Sand sent Rabea the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick.
Rabea made an excellent save to block a fierce effort from Sand at the start of the second half. The closest Nasr came was when the Iranian Iman Mobali's free-kick hit the post in the 57th minute.
Al Ain's first victory against Nasr in three league games was sealed when Mahmoud Khamis brought down Emerson. With Sand already subsituted, the Brazilian, who scored twice in the Super Cup victory over Al Ahli, took responsibility and sealed victory from the spot.
apassela@thenational.ae
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
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