Manuel Lanzini excelled on his Al Jazira debut, scoring twice to hand his team a deserved win away at Ajman.
The diminutive Argentine’s two goals came either side of an Ajman penalty in the first half, both of which showcased the 21-year-old’s incredible technique.
Lanzini’s first came in the 40th minute when the playmaker calmly volleyed home after fellow debutant Vucinic nonchalantly chested the ball into his path.
If that was good, his second was exceptional.
A stabbed finish past Ali Rabea Mesmari followed a mesmerising run into the Ajman penalty area which saw Lanzini weave in between a group of home defenders with the ease of a kickabout in the local park.
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Ajman’s equaliser came courtesy of a Boris Kabi penalty two minutes before Lanzini’s solo effort after Mohamed Alantaly went down under the challenge of Khalid Sebil in the Jazira box.
All three goals of the opening 45 occurred in the last five minutes of a highly entertaining first half before Mirko Vucinic won and converted a penalty with 20 minutes left to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
Ajman sub Ahmed Malalla then set up a nervy finish by heading home with seven minutes to play.
Each team had chances to add to their tallies in the second half before Vucinic extended Jazira's lead and Malalla found the back of the net with one of his first touches of the match.
