The curtain raiser to the 2016-17 Arabian Gulf league was played on a foreign soil for the first time since it’s inauguration
League holders Al Ahli crossed swords with the President Cup winners Al Jezira.
The Abu Dhabi based outfit were reduced to one man down when youngster Salim Rashid was sent off for a nasty challenge on his opponent.Few minutes later, they were punished for poorly defending a through ball and Brazilian attacker Rodrigo Lima was there to slot it home and put Al Ahli in the lead.
The number of players on the pitch levelled when Fardan received matching orders before Lima won a penalty for the Dubai outfit.
The Al Ahli skipper, Lima convented from the spot to complete his brace.
There was game time for Ahli’s new signing Asamoah Gyan who had scored on his debut previously.
A late consolation goal by Thiago Nerves was not enough to deny Al Ahli’s historical Super Cup crowning.
