Brazilian striker Magno Alves struck a first half hat-trick to steer AFC  Champions League quarter-finalists Umm Salal to a 5-1 win over second division Mesaimer in Group C of the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup in Qatar yesterday.

Alves, last season's Qatar League top scorer, opened the scoring after 13 minutes and after adding a second two minutes later, sealed his hat-trick two minutes before half-time. Abbas Al Maleki's 49th minute penalty reduced the deficit for Mesaimer, but Fabio Cesar restored the advantage four minutes later before Brazilian striker Davi wrapped up the scoring just before the hour mark.

Also in Group C, Ivory Coast striker Amara Diane scored twice as Al Rayyan eased to a 5-1 win over Al Ahli. Sayed Bechir opened the scoring for Al Rayyan after 16 minutes, but Meshal Abdulla hit back for Al Ahli midway through the first half.

Diane reclaimed the lead for Al Rayyan five minutes later, and after Adel Lamy added a third, Diane grabbed his second three minutes before the break. Saud Khamis sealed the comfortable win for Al Rayyan with 10 minutes remaining.

In Group D, Sebastian Soria scored as Qatar SC edged out Al Shamal, while Al Khor eased to a 4-1 win over Maither.