AL AIN // Marcio Emerson, the Brazilian who won the Super Cup for Al Ain, says that if he gets the right service he will fire the goals to give the side a chance of winning the Pro League. The striker scored twice and fired the winning penalty in the shoot-out as they triumphed over defending league champions Al Ahli. Tonight, Emerson will make his Pro League debut full of confidence.
"It is my job to score and I want to score as many as possible for Al Ain," said Emerson. "But I can't do it alone. I need the support of my teammates and I got that in abundance in my first game. My work is also to assist others so the team wins. It is more than me scoring goals. The goals I score will count for nothing if we can't win." Tonight Al Ain are at home to Al Nasr at the Khalifa bin Zayed stadium and Ahli travel to Abu Dhabi for the late fixture against Al Wahda.
"Al Nasr are a stronger side this season with some good signings," said Al Ain manager Winfried Schaefer. "My players have come out well from the Super Cup except for Ismail al Hammadi who has a leg injury." The Wahda captain Haider Ali is counting on last season's top scorer Fernando Baiano to deliver as they mount a fresh bid for silverware. The Brazilian moved to the club from city rivals Al Jazira after scoring 25 goals and Ali said: "We lacked a quality striker in the past and Baiano just fits into that bill."
On Saturday, Malian striker Modibo Diara struck deep into injury time for promoted Baniyas to rescue a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Al Wasl. Saeed al Kas and Panamanian Blas Perez cancelled out Fareed Ismail's early goal as the hosts led 2-1 at the break. Andre Senghor levelled for Baniyas, but it looked like Eisa Ali's strike would give Wasl the win before Diara's 94th minute strike.
apassela@thenational.ae