A late strike from Nilmar saved Al Nasr‘s blushes as the Arabian Gulf Cup champions eventually overcame Bani Yas 1-0 in their Group A fixture in Abu Dhabi.

The early exchanges of the match were even with Nilmar and Bani Yas striker Ishak Belfodi both unlucky not to score

The visitors began to take control of the contest with Jonathan Pitroipa’s venemous free-kick being deflected away before both Nilmar and Luis Jimenez were denied in quick succession.

Jires Kembo-Ekoko was brought on to good effect in the second-half and he dutifully unloaded a powerful shot in the 69th minute that just lifted too much to trouble the scorers.

The breakthrough came in the 85th minute when Nilmar’s opportunist play from a sloppy Mohamed Jaber back pass was slotted to take a 1-0 lead that would prove decisive.

To rub salt into the would for the hosts, Fawaz Awana was shown a red card for a second bookable offence on Tariq Ahmed.

Elsewhere, Al Shabab came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Dibba, eventually winning 3-2 in their Group B clash.

Summer signing Jo put Shabab ahead on 17 minutes with a cool left-footed finish before Khalifa Ibrahim equalised after vollying home a deflection from a free-kick.

Dibba then took the lead in the 66th minute through former Ajman striker Boris Kabi but their celebrations were short-lived as Luvannor Henrique made it 2-2 with 20 minutes to play. 

Henrique then secured his double and the match for Al Shabab in the 85th minute after some good work down the flank from young substitute Mohammed Juma Eid, setting the Moldovan striker for the simplest of finishes.