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Al Jazira maintain a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bani Yas

Debutant Al Jazira snatched their first three points when they outclassed Bani Yas 3-2 in the Etisalat Cup second week match played this evening at Al Shamkha Stadium in Baniyas Club. It was only 14 minutes into the game before Al Jazira  midfielder Subait Khatir surprised the home team Bani Yas when he headed home the opener off the ball switched by his Brazilian colleague Ricardo Oliviera from the left flank. Bani Yas tried afterwards to come back into the match making some good efforts but could not score off the few chances that came their way. The strikers of both squads tried every bit of work looking for more goals but the defenders stood solid on their way spoiling all their attempts. Senegalese professional player Senghor squandered a lovely sitter for Bani Yas when he was sent free three minutes before the break. He tried to hook the ball behind Al Jazira's goalkeeper  Ahmed Al Shabibi who saved bravely. But his colleague Yousuf Jaber compensated for the squandered opportunity when he scored the equalizer off a penalty kick two minutes before the break to end the first half with a 1-1 draw.

Salem Masaud scored a brace in the 51st and 55th minutes giving the visiting team Al Jazira a 3-1 lead capitalizing on two successive blunders committed by the home goalie Ahmad Khalaf. The game turned into a thriller as the two teams demonstrated a balanced and quick display. Bani Yas went all out seeking to level the score and their efforts were soon paid dividends when Nawaf Mubarak reduced the deficit with a left- footer in the73rd minute to make it 3-2. Nawaf came close to bring the game to the first square but his fierce shot off a dead ball was deflected by Al Jazira's goalkeeper to a corner five minutes later. 

Bani Yas pressed hard in the last minutes while their opponents Al Jazira relied heavily on counter attacks but both failed to score. Senghor's last moments header rebounded off the cross bar  to end the match with a 3-2 win for Al Jazira.