Midfielder Habib Fardan’s return to Al Nasr is up and running after his second-half double ensured a 4-1 victory against Al Dhafra in the Arabian Gulf Cup.
Fardan, 28, has barely featured for the Blue Wave since his protracted return from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club – after four years away – was finally completed last month. But the former UAE regular showcased his class on Sunday night as the qualified Group B-pacesetters continued their 100-per-cent record.
Forward Mohamed Ibrahim got the ball rolling on five minutes with a powerful effort from distance, before visiting midfielder Diogo soon levelled up from Khalid Butti’s cross.
Brazilian forward Samuel Rosa’s deflected shot then restored Nasr’s advantage on 18 minutes.
Just before the hour mark, Fardan converted a penalty for his first goal in blue for more than 1,050 days. A slotted late finish then completed the rout.
In the pool’s other games, a goalless draw meant nothing to qualified Al Ain but tempered Emirates Club’s quarter-final ambitions.
French midfielder Omar Kossoko’s 89th-minute long-range rocket earned a valuable 3-2 win for Fujairah and kept Arabian Gulf League-leaders Sharjah pointless in the Cup.