Ex-France midfielder Yohan Cabaye’s dismissal could not prevent 10-man Al Nasr from earning a 1-0 President’s Cup round-of-16 victory against Bani Yas after winger Marquinhos Gabriel ruthlessly punished a defensive error.
There seemed little threat when the Corinthians loanee’s ball into the penalty box was intercepted by sliding Sky Blues defender Hassan Al Moharrami in the 24th minute. But his errant pass forward, under no pressure, fell straight to the same player and a thumping first-time finish flew in for a fifth goal in 16 appearances.
The prospect of an easy afternoon for Caio Zanardi’s men would soon disappear after Cabaye clattered into ex-UAE playmaker Haboush Saleh and a straight red card was issued. But promoted Bani Yas could not make the most of their numerical advantage.
Elsewhere, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club’s foreign stars came to the fore in a 3-0 win against Ittihad Kalba.
Ecuador centre forward Jaime Ayovi nodded in after bizarre handling from goalkeeper Mohammed Al Bloushi in the 25th minute. The rout was completed in the second half through Moldova forward Henrique Luvannor’s deflected strike and Argentine playmaker Emiliano Vecchio’s low finish after a rapid counter-attack.
