Star duo Yohan Cabaye and Alvaro Negredo were among the goals as Al Nasr continued to excel in the Arabian Gulf Cup, inflicting a comfortable 3-0 win on red-hot Sharjah.
The hotly tipped Blue Wave had lost their opening four Arabian Gulf League fixtures, prior to October 4’s 1-0 triumph against lowly Dibba Al Fujairah.
In contrast, they’ve now emerged victorious from all three Group B matches in the Cup. Ex-France, Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain and Crystal Palace midfielder Cabaye produced a staggering half volley just before half-time to put them ahead.
Forward Mohamed Al Akbari then tapped in on 54 minutes for his opening goal since a summer switch from Al Wahda. The rout was completed when former Spain, Real Madrid, Manchester City striker Negredo’s drilled strike made it three goals in four matches for him in all competitions since arriving from Besiktas.
In the same section, forwards Caio and Jamal Maroof struck in the second half for depleted Al Ain to secure a 2-0 win at Al Jazira.
The former rolled into an open net, and latter rattled home from close range in injury time. This was the perfect retort to last month’s loss to Nasr.
In Group B, Moroccan midfielder Yahya Jabran’s early penalty secured a valuable 1-0 triumph against Ittihad Kalba and moved Dibba Al Fujairah off the bottom.
