Al Jazira put their indifferent start to the domestic season aside with a 2-0 friendly win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Jeddah on Friday night.

Abel Braga must be hoping last night’s triumph will act as a catalyst to kick-start the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s campaign, with Sharjah next up for Jazira when the Arabian Gulf Leagues reconvenes on September 13.

Jazira still look far from the finished article and were sloppy in possession throughout a testy first half which lacked any tenacity.

They turned up the heat after the break though, goals from Thiago Neves and Sultan Al Shamsi giving them victory.

The returning Braga will not have been happy with his side’s profligacy, both goal scorers wasting chances to get their second while Yaser Mater was most guilty of failing to take a golden opportunity to bury their cross-Gulf visitors.

Former Jazira coach Laszlo Boloni was paraded in front of the home crowd, presented with a home team short prior to kick off.

Even more gifts were bestowed during the ninety minutes of football, but it was Laszlo’s team who were feeling generous.

Jazira took the lead when a defensive howler allowed the impressive Neves to stroke home the opener four minutes into the second period.

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Four minutes later it was 2-0. Youngster Al Shamsi raced on to a through ball and sent a beautiful chip over the advancing Fawaz Al Qarni from outside the box.

Despite his side’s lead, Braga paced the sidelines anxiously, no doubt angered by his men’s failure to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Another blunder at the back allowed Neves a chance to bag his brace but he sliced wide.

Mater raced clear but dallied rounding Al Qarni, allowing him to recover, while Shamsi also failed to convert a chance to wrap things up.

Still, after opening day defeat to Al Wasl and throwing away a 2-0 lead in their Arabian Gulf Cup opener against Al Ain, Jazira will be content to have at last rediscovered that winning feeling.