Al Shaab 0 Baniyas 2
New signing Joaquin Larrivey got off to a fast start with Baniyas when he scored in the 24th minute as the visitors left Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium in Sharjah with a 2-0 win over Al Shaab on Thursday night.
Larrivey marked his debut with a goal from a header off a Ishak Belfodil cross.
Belfodil, an Algerian international, then scored himself with a far-post shot to double Baniyas’ advantage in the 86th minute. Suhail Al Noobi was credited with the assist.
It was Al Shaab’s first match back in the top flight since the 2013/14 campaign.
Next up, Baniyas coach Luis Garcia’s men meet Dibba in their home opener on September 11 while Al Shaab will try to recover at Fujairah.
Previews
The rest of the Arabian Gulf League teams play their first games of the campaign Friday night. Champions Al Ain begin their title defence with a home game against Al Dhafra at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, looking to build on the momentum of last Saturday's 4-2 victory over Al Nasr in the Arabian Gulf Super Cup.
Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike is expected to be a late decision on whether he makes his league debut for Al Ain Friday, after tweaking a muscle and having to be substituted as he scored the second of his two goals against Nasr.
Al Jazira, who were runners-up to Al Ain last season, albeit nine points adrift, begin their bid to win their first league title since 2011 on home turf as they take on Al Wasl at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Al Shabab go up against Sharjah in their opening fixture, while the night’s other game has Al Nasr facing off against Emirates.
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