#360view: Al Ain's stutter has spiced things up in AGL

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  • Main men: The goalscorers Al Shabab's Edgar (l) and Al Ain's Mohamed Ahmed battle for possession.

    Celebrations about Al Shabab’s 1-1 draw with Al Ain would have been held far beyond the confines of the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.

    Monday’s final Arabian Gulf League match of 2014 saw the last fixture fulfilled before the adjournment begins for January’s Asian Cup. Minus the seven-strong Al Ain contingent and Fujairah who still have a game in hand to play, the UAE’s finest now jet off to Australia with 13 rounds of top-flight action under their belts.

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    A win for the Boss on Monday would have added to the impending sense of gloom about the title hopes of their rivals. Their rise has now, at least, been temporarily halted.

    Zlatko Dalic’s men have motored along nicely to be level on points with leaders Al Jazira despite their start of their campaign being seriously disrupted by their charge to the AFC Champions League semi-finals.

    Contrasting feelings abound when marking the state of play at the half-way stage of the 26-game AGL campaign. These will shape the frenzied activity to come when the transfer window re-opens on January 9. 

    Joy can be found by the continued excellence of Shabab and Al Wahda, while Al Ahli’s decline from omnipotent treble winners has been staggering.

    A rollercoaster has been ridden by Bani Yas and Al Wasl. There were no such thrills for Ajman and promoted outfit Ittihad Kalba, the pair beginning to be cut adrift in the relegation places.

    Ahli have been the headline news of the opening months, languishing in sixth after a campaign stained by three home defeats. 
    The flawed summer decision to ditch Hugo Viana, the central midfielder who made them tick, for Cosmin Olaroiu-acolyte Mirel Radoi has seriously damaged hopes of retaining their AGL crown.

    A loan spell bossing Saudi Arabia at the Asian Cup could herald a more permanent break from Olaroiu, or instead see the technical staff and players revitalised after time apart.

    Jazira top the table courtesy of a 4-3 victory against Al Ain in October’s ‘Al Clasico’ that gives them a superior head-to-head record, with the clubs locked on 27 points. 

    Coach Eric Gerets has assembled a bi-polar side in his first months in charge. Striker Mirko Vucinic has exuded all the class expected of a three-times Serie A winner at Juventus to head the scoring charts on 16 goals, while their defence only out-performs the bottom two – a tightening up is required.

    Well-oiled machines Shabab and Wahda will scrap with Al Nasr to claim the coveted final ACL qualifying place that comes with whoever finishes third – the spot where Shabab currently sit.

    Wasl and Bani Yas stumbled out of the starting blocks but finished with renewed vigour. Emirates Club appear to have too much to be relegated. Winless Kalba’s wretched top-flight return is certain to come to an end in May, with only four points gained thus far. 

    Ajman have fared little better on nine points. Of the trio who are three points from danger, only Sharjah kept faith in coach Paulo Bonamigo while Al Dhafra and Fujairah both blinked.

    Agents be ready. The opening of the January sales are sure to see the 14 combatants battle to sign the players that will secure silverware, gain mid-table comfort and avoid the dreaded drop.

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