DUBAI // Al Nasr travel to Ajman in a sombre mood tonight for their first match in nearly two weeks, since the death of their UAE international forward Salem Saad, who died of a heart attack during a training session. Saad's former UAE teammate and captain Mohammed Omar, who plays for Ajman, said their camp were feeling just as sad as Nasr ahead of tonight's Pro League match (KO 4.45pm).
"This match is for Salem," said Omar. "Salem was such a lively and popular person. It's very hard to imagine that he's not in the team any more. The players in my team will go on to the pitch with the same heavy feeling as the Al Nasr players. Salem was not just an Al Nasr player; he was a brother and friend to all of us." Ajman will be hoping to pick up their first league points after creating the biggest shock of the season so far, when they knocked out the holders Al Ain in the President's Cup 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out last week.
Al Jazira, meanwhile, have a great opportunity to increase their lead at the top of the Pro League table if they can return with three points from Sharjah (KO 8pm). Jazira are on 16 points, two more than their closest challengers Al Ain, who face Al Wahda at the Al Nahyan Stadium tomorrow. Braga said: "A draw or win for Al Wahda will definitely give us a clear advantage, provided we win in Sharjah. "There is no guarantee of this happening. Sharjah's defeat to Al Ahli in the President's Cup last week did not tell the actual story. They have two dangerous forwards, Marcelo and Mustafa Karim. They can score from half chances, and they have a solid defence."
Last night, Baniyas got back to winning ways, after their 4-0 defeat to Wahda in the President's Cup, with a victory of the same scoreline over Al Shabab. @Email:apassela@thenational.ae
