There were incredible displays and stunning moments of genius at both ends of the table in the Arabian Gulf League this weekend.
Here are the standout performers:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sebastian Tagliabue (Al Wahda)
In the nine years of professionalism in the UAE, it has been lucky to be graced by several supreme strikers.
Ricardo Oliveira, Asamoah Gyan and Grafite are just three men who have left an indelible mark on the country and competition. But the king of them all is still plying his trade here.
Tagliabue’s 30-minute hat-trick in the 3-2 triumph at Sharjah was utterly characteristic. All three were predatory efforts as Wahda kept the pressure up on leaders Al Ain.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Fabio De Lima (Al Wasl)
Is there anything the fabulously talented Brazilian forward can’t do?
In a season that has contained 19 strikes in the AGL, his effort at promoted Ajman will live long.
The 24-year-old got the ball under pressure on the right-hand side of the penalty box. He then twisted, turned and flicked the ball before launching an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
This goal inspired the Cheetahs to a first league win in six games. Too late to salvage their top-three hopes?
What a goal from @AlWaslSC's Fabio de Lima against @AjmanClub!! HE IS UNSTOPPABLE! 🔥🔥#AGLeague pic.twitter.com/nMTosFaf91
— Ahdaaf (@ahdaafme) April 7, 2018
COACH OF THE WEEK
Nizar Mahrous (Emirates Club)
The Syrian must have had a wry smile after this round.
Cut loose by Hatta early last month, he gratefully accepted the emergency call from fellow strugglers Emirates Club during the international break.
Upon the return to action, doomed Hatta recorded a fifth loss in succession. But the Falcons flew high, Sebastian Saez plundering a late, enlivening winner against Al Jazira.
Hope abounds that the new man can engender the surge required to secure a sixth-successive top-flight campaign.
TALKING POINT
BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM
With the title all-but sewn up, attention now slides towards the scrap against relegation.
A play-off system is expected to be applied to allow for the return to a 14-team competition for 2018/19. The bottom two will automatically drop to First Division League, while the current ninth and 10th-placed go into the lottery of a play-off versus the FDL’s third and fourth-placed finishers,
The pressure will be at maximum next time out when second-bottom Emirates Club play 10th-placed Dibba Al Fujairah in a fortnight’s time.
