Bani Yas warmed up for their AFC Champions League second round play-off in the worst possible manner, losing 2-0 at home to Al Nasr.
The Blue Wave bounced back from President’s Cup heartbreak to seal victory with goals at the end of each half from Hassan Mohammed and Al Husain Saleh.
It might have been a different story had Bani Yas captain Yousef Jaber not missed a first-half penalty but the side’s lethargic display should worry coach Jorge da Silva coming just five day before they face Al Qadsia with their Champions League aspirations on the line.
The games against Nasr and Wahda had been brought forward by the Pro League Committee in order to help Bani Yas in those Asian endeavours, but Al Samawi may now consider that decision to be a hindrance.
The home side were second best in a flat first half as both sides struggled to get hold of the ball. That said, they should have taken the lead inside 17 minutes as Ali Al Ameri – making his second debut for Nasr – gave away a penalty with a lazy trip on Luis Farina.
Jaber’s spot kick was turned onto the post by Ahmed Shambieh though. Bani Yas then hit the bar as Haboush Saleh deflected Farina’s shot goalwards from seven yards with replays confirming the whole ball had not crossed the line as it came down off the wordwork.
And after Eder Luis fizzed a warning shot across goal, Nasr took the lead just before half-time. Bani Yas were undone by a routine punt forward as Habib Fardan’s flick on found Mohammed in the area, who fired past Mohsin Al Hashmi.
Mohammed’s goal should have shaken the hosts into life, but it was past the hour before they threatened an equaliser as Shambieh got down well to save from Nawaf Mubarak.
Indeed Eder Luis could have doubled his side’s lead with another effort that whistled past the post, following an intelligent free-kick from Mahmoud Khamis.
Belatedly Bani Yas began to take the game to their visitors with Mohammed Fawzi particularly prominent down the right-hand side.
Fawaz Awana headed one cross from the full-back wide while Ahmed Malalla wasted his side’s biggest chance as he directed Farina’s cut-back past Shambieh and the post.
And when another goal came it was to confirm a win that lifts Nasr above their hosts as Al Husain converted from Eder Luis’ pull-back.
