Al Jazira humbled as Braga's side open AGL campaign with defeat

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  • Wasl (r) are off to the perfect start.

    Abel Braga’s dream return to Al Jazira turned into a nightmare as he watched his side go down to 10 men and begin their Arabian Gulf League campaign with a narrow loss to Al Wasl.

    The Brazilian was a picture of frustration throughout at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium as he repeatedly flailed his arms in the technical area, defender Musallem Fayez’s questionable early dismissal souring the comeback for a coach who won everything from 2008-11.

    Fate seemed set against the Pride of Abu Dhabi, a beautiful Hugo Viana free-kick putting the tightly-organised visitors ahead and lucky bobble playing in defender Yaser Salem to make it 2-1.

    But much more is expected of a club who spent lavishly in the summer to turn the runners-up spot which cost Eric Gerets his job into silverware, even taking their numerical disadvantage into account.

    Jazira were handed the toughest opening-round test of the likely title contenders, facing opponents who regrouped adeptly to finish sixth last term as sharp coach Gabriel Calderon lifted them after his October arrival.

    They look set to be a force during the Argentine’s first full campaign, deep cup runs a possibility on this form after an excellent evening detailed by a solid defence.

    Braga’s men started with the attacking intent expected of last season’s highest scorers, forcing the visitors into scrambling away a series of corners.

    New players mean new relationships are forming. A chasm existed between defensive midfielders Khamis Esmail and Park Jong-woo in the early running, Wasl exploiting this expertly for their opener.

    Powerful lone striker Edgar Bruno – purchased last month from Al Shabab – dropped off, drawing a foul from inexperienced centre-back Saif Almeqbaali. The Cheetahs only needed this small window of opportunity, Viana exhibiting all the class expected of an experienced Portugal midfielder to float in an unstoppable 20-metre set-piece.

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    Shock might have led to desperation coming into the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s game. Soon after, they were down to 10 men as Fayez lunged at equally-committed defender Abdalla Saleh.

    The tackle was one-footed, but as the ex-Al Ain man went off the floor it allowed over-officious referee Hamad Ali Yousef to wave a red card.

    A shake-up led to the incongruous sight of landmark summer buy and Peru forward Jefferson Farfan playing at right-back, a subdued competitive debut at a humid Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium forcing his half-time substitution.

    Fellow fresh face and Middle East-veteran Thiago Neves – bought from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal – finished off an expertly-crafted equaliser five minutes before the break. The Brazil playmaker followed in his pass to Esmail, the UAE star’s perfect low centre being side-footed home first time from the edge of the penalty area.

    Braga’s men were unable to carry this momentum with them after the break. They again fell foul of fortune and precision finishing from the tight-knit visitors to go behind again on 50 minutes.

    A nothing pass from forward Fabio De Lima – the lively Brazilian newly signed up on a permanent five-year deal – deflected cruelly off Park, the inviting bounce allowing rampaging right-back Yaser Salem to lob UAE No1 Ali Khaseif to send the travelling Wasl faithful into rapture.

    A rally did not ensue, the heat and sending off draining Jazira’s reserves. They even needed Khaseif to be at his best to stop the scoreline getting ugly, producing brilliant saves from Edgar’s header and Fabio’s rasping shot.

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