ABU DHABI // The Brazilian strikers Ricardo Oliveira and Bare shared three goals as Al Jazira crushed Al Shabab 4-1 last night at Zayed Sports City Stadium in front of 3,650 fans, and advanced to the championship match of the President's Cup.
Jazira have finished second in the Pro League for three consecutive seasons, but the Abu Dhabi club have never won the league or the President's Cup. With a seven-point lead in the league with nine games to play, and a berth in the Cup final, the other finalists Al Wahda are now assured they are in position to win both trophies in the same season.
The third prominent performer for Jazira last night was the goalkeeper Ali Kasheif, who made a half dozen fine saves. Oliveira had two goals. Bare and Jumaa Abdullah each scored one.
Jazira showed no lingering effects from the 5-1 beating they took at the hands of the Iranian club Sepahan in Asian Champions League play last week.
Shabab scored in the 87th minute through a penalty from Josiel de Ferreira. Shabab still can win a domestic trophy this year. They will play Al Ain in the Etisalat Cup final.
poberjuerge@thenational.ae
