AGL Picks of the Week: Alvaro Negredo doubles up to show he's no mercenary

Alvaro Negredo (Al Nasr)

There are no guarantees about European imports into the Arabian Gulf League.

For every Hugo Viana, there is a Luca Toni. This time, it looks like Al Nasr will have no regrets with Alvaro Negredo.

The ex-Real Madrid and Spain striker scored both goals in Friday’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Al Wahda. Bar a debut against champions Al Ain that featured a missed penalty, the 33-year-old has scored at least once in all five subsequent games.

GOAL OF THE WEEK

Tommy Tobar (Ittihad Kalba)

In a round dominated by fine free-kicks – notable mentions going the familiar figure of Al Jazira’s Leonardo and unfamiliar figure of Al Ain’s Marcus Berg – a set-piece special was always going to win out.

This effort from Colombian war horse Tobar featured a smart chipped play, defensive scramble and then an inventive flick of a back heel that saw the ball nestle inside the near post in the 1-1 draw at title-chasing Jazira.

COACH OF THE WEEK

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club)

Arruabarrena is unfailingly polite and magnanimous in victory. This one, however, must have felt good.

Last May saw two years of remarkable success at Al Wasl come to an abrupt end. Now back in the UAE with Shabab Al Ahli, a first meeting against his – currently managerless – ex-employers was decided by substitute Henrique Luvannor’s deft control and low shot in an enlivening 3-2 victory.

TALKING POINT

Matar’s tears must not be repeated

Play had to be stopped for three minutes on Friday as inconsolable Wahda and UAE icon Ismail Matar dropped to the floor because of an egregious chant from the Nasr faithful about a deceased brother.

Passion from fans is a tough subject in the AGL – it is all too often absent from deserted stands. Silence, however, is favourable to this unforgivable crossing of the line.