Caio stars in Al Ain win over Sharjah

Al Ain and Sharjah players tussle for the ball.

Brazilian winger Caio Fernandes stamped his mark as Al Ain began their campaign in the Arabian Gulf Cup with a victory over Sharjah.

The 24-year-old, who joined The Boss two years ago from Japanese J1 League club Kashima Antlers, fired a brace and provided an assist as the defending Arabian Gulf League champions won 4-1 at the Sharjah Stadium.

Caio scored from a penalty on 10 minutes and then added his second on 34 minutes. Japanese midfielder Tsukasa Shiotani increased Al Ain's lead on 78 minutes after which former Sharjah man Jamal Maroof rounded it off with the fourth, two minutes from time. Igor Coronado got a consolation goal for Sharjah on 80 minutes.

The win took Al Ain to second in Group B behind Al Jazira. Al Nasr are third.

Meanwhile, Arabian Gulf Super Cup winners Al Wahda top Group A followed by Ajman and promoted Bani Yas.

"We deserved the win and it is a strong start to our campaign," assistant coach Damir Krznar said after the game. Krznar addressed the media after coach Zoran Mamic was banished to the stands following an argument with the referee about a penalty in the second half. "We were missing many international players but it was a great opportunity for some of the young players to step up. And based on their performance, we can say that the club can look forward to a promising future in the coming seasons," the Croatian added.

Al Ain were gifted the chance to take the lead after former Al Wahda man Mohammed Al Shehhi brought down Jamal Maroof inside the box on nine minutes and referee Ahmad Salem Khalfan pointed to the spot. And although goalkeeper Ahmed Dida judged well, Caio's spot kick had enough bite on it as he tucked it into the top right corner of the net.

The woodwork denied Sharjah the equaliser on 22 minutes after Welliton Soares' header hit the cross bar following an inch perfect cross from Coronado.

Al Ain added cushion to their lead on 34 minutes with Caio firing it past Dida. The garden city club increased the gap even further after Shiotani tapped home from close range following a cross from Caio on 78 minutes.

Sharjah managed to pull one back on 80 minutes with Coronado slipping it past second-choice goalkeeper Hamad Al Mansoori.

But there was to be more as Maroof wrapped it up with the fourth, scoring against his former employers, with two minutes left. to play out.

james@khaleejtimes.com