The Abu Dhabi Wildcats started the new season of the Emirates American Football League like they finished the previous one, with a win as they beat Al Ain Desert Foxes 26-6 at Dubai Sports City last night.

Al Ain began with a surprise onside kick on the opening kickoff which they recovered as they caught Abu Dhabi napping.

They successfully recovered a second onside kick later in the game.

“With this team, because our numbers are low, we have to manufacture ways,” said Desert Foxes coach Johnny Sharp.

“We have to find angles and create opportunities for us to score and get the ball, so that was planned,” he added.

The trickery wasn’t enough though as several Al Ain drives stalled out just short of scoring.

Still, Sharp is confident his team proved they’re not to be taken lightly this season.

“It was a learning curve today,” Sharp said. “We’re going to be the team to beat. I think [the Wildcats] showed a lot of fear in us because they put their best players to match-up with ours.”

A second-half scuffle between the two teams saw two Abu Dhabi players ejected for throwing punches.

The Wildcats’ points came on three rushing touchdowns and one passing score, while Al Ain’s lone score was a passing touchdown.