ABU DHABI // Al Jazira kicked off their Pro League campaign on an impressive note, overpowering Al Nasr 3-0 last night. Khalid Sabeel gave them the lead in the 32nd minute, Abdullah Mousa added a second 15 minutes from time and the substitute Ahmed Jumaa completed the rout before a crowd of 7,488 with an injury-time strike in an energy-sapping game on a sweltering night at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. The margin of victory could have been more had Jazira scored from the chances they created. Toni, the Ivorian striker, could have doubled the lead two minutes into the second half, but his effort, infront of an empty net, went agonisingly wide of the far post. Jumaa, who came on for Ali Mabkhout on the hour, missed a sitter after Toni created space. Ali Kasheif, the Jazira goalkeeper, did well to keep out a shot from Leonard Lima, the Brazilian, which was the only chance the visitors had as Jazira dominated the second half, punishing their exhausted opponents into submission. It was a good result for Abel Braga's side considering the league's opening-night debacles, when Al Wahda, the defending champions, and the high-spending Al Ahli each suffered embarrassing defeats, at the hands of Al Wasl and Al Dhafra, respectively. Jazira went into the game without their new foreigners, Bare, the Brazilian, a summer signing who was carrying a one-match ban from his former club, Al Ahli, and Matias Delgado, the Argentine midfielder, who was deemed not to be ready, having arrived from the Turkish club Beskitas only on Wednesday. Mabkhout, who filled one of the slots, wasted a couple of chances in either half before being substituted for Jumaa. Sabeel was on target with a stinging shot from the edge of the box after Mohammed Ibrahim failed badly with a clearance. The visitors made some early inroads and were unlucky when Mohammed Ali Omar's effort crashed against the post. Kasheif had earlier denied Mohammed Malallah when he charged off his line. Mabkhout had an opportunity for the home side between the Nasr threats, but his effort went wide after being set up in the box by Toni. apassela@thenational.ae
Al Jazira Sabeel 32', Mosa 75', Jumaa 90+2' Man of the match Abdullah Mousa (Al Jazira)
