SOCCEROOS skipper Lucas Neill has helped Al Jazira claim their first silverware of the season with a controversial opening goal in their 3-1 President's Cup final win over Bani Yas on Monday.
Neill netted the opening goal of the clash on six minutes, before Bani Yas levelled shortly after the break through a superb Nawaf Mubarak 25-yard strike.
Ricardo Oliveira then restored Al Jazira's advantage with a free-kick strike on 72 minutes, with substitute Ali Mubarak adding another goal late on to seal the result.
Neill tweeted after the game: "Al Jazira are the Presidents Cup winners!! can't get my hands on the trophy, hopefully photos to follow. 3-1 winners!!!"
However, the Aussie's strike left a sour taste in the mouth of Bani Yas coach Gabriel Calderon who said Neill committed a "rugby foul" on Sultan Al Ghaferi, who was grounded, in the lead-up to the goal.
"He took our man," Calderon told reporters. "If you give the other side the first goal in a final, it's difficult, difficult. It was a rugby foul, not a little foul. It's terrible. Terrible."
Neill also admitted on Twitter he felt the goal was a touch lucky, stating: "And I got the first goal haha... possibly offside but I'm not complaining!!!"
Meanwhile, Neill's coach Caio Junior heaped praise on the Aussie who has had a mixed season in UAE, with the Brazilian labelling him "very important" in the win.
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