Al Wahda wobbling but Wolves bite back among AGL talking points

Matt Jones - Editor 18:57 31/10/2018
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  • Fujairah are on fire this season.

    We’re just about quarter of the way through the 2018/19 Arabian Gulf League season and there are some fascinating storylines emerging.

    From a tense and tantalising title fight shaping up between a clutch of talented teams, to the two Bur Dubai sides and their differing patches of form. Elsewhere, the promoted teams are performing brilliantly in the early weeks of the season.

    Ahead of round eight’s action, we look at some talking points.

    CAN WAHDA GET OVER THEIR WOBBLE?

    Al Wahda have stuttered of late.

    Al Wahda have stuttered of late.

    They started the season on fire – scoring 14 goals in just three games – to set down a marker that they were tired of being AGL bridesmaids.

    But Al Wahda have stuttered a little since – they were downed 4-2 by promoted Bani Yas at the end of September, while they conceded four again at home to Al Dhafra in another 4-2 defeat almost two weeks ago.

    Then, last week, the Clarets conceded a 97th minute equaliser to Alvaro Negredo as Al Nasr’s resurgence continued with a 2-2 draw earned.

    They’re still among the leading lights of the league – just four points adrift of leaders Sharjah – but some of the sheen of the early season promise has worn off the Al Nahyan men.

    And they hardly have an easy task ahead of them as they look to steady the ship this weekend, with improved Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club visiting the capital.

    Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side are just a point behind the Clarets in fifth and have won three straight in the AGL and are riding a five-match winning streak in all competitions.

    Goals won’t concern Laurentiu Reghecampf – Wahda are the top scorers by far with 23 (Al Jazira and Al Ain’s 19 are next) but they’re also alarmingly letting them in at the other end – 15 shipped is worsened only by Nasr and Emirates Club.

    CHEETAHS ARE GETTING LEFT BEHIND

    There hasn't been much for Al Wasl to celebrate this season.

    There hasn’t been much for Al Wasl to celebrate this season.

    Two years ago they pushed Al Jazira most of the way, but stumbled badly down the final stretch to finish 11 points behind in second. Last term they finished third but again faded badly, coming 12 points behind champions Al Ain.

    But Al Wasl are tanking in the early part of 2018/19, with the Cheetahs yet to get out of the blocks and sitting a lowly 11th following four defeats in seven games.

    Fellow Bur Dubai residents Al Nasr suffered a shocking start to the campaign but Ivan Jovanovic’s star-studded team are slowly finding their feet – unbeaten in their last four overall and three in the league.

    Wasl, however, are going the opposite way. They have astonishingly failed to win in six games and have just two victories in 12 games in all competitions this term.

    Firing Arruabarrena after two campaigns was clearly not the answer – the Argentine is doing well with new club Shabab Al Ahli, while replacement Gustavo Quinteros clings to his job.

    We’re barely a quarter of the way through the season and Wasl are only 10 points off top spot, but the campaign could pass the Bur Dubai club by in a blur unless they turn things around quickly.

    WOLVES SHOW THEIR TEETH

    Diego Maradona's Fujairah spell ended in tears.

    Diego Maradona’s Fujairah spell ended in tears.

    It’s crazy to think that just 10 matches have been played since Diego Maradona was in charge of Fujairah.

    Even crazier was the abrupt end to the revered Argentine’s stint in charge of the club, which ended acrimoniously in April after a draw with Khor Fakkan in First Division League saw Fujairah fail to secure automatic promotion to the AGL.

    They made it anyway, despite Bani Yas and Ittihad Kalba claiming the two automatic spots, sending Hatta spiraling down into the second tier via a play-off triumph in May.

    Some would say Fujairah’s fantastic start to the 2018/19 is the craziest thing of all.

    The Wolves sit sixth and have really bared their teeth in recent weeks. Ivan Hasek’s men are unbeaten in their last three league games on their way to collecting a haul of 11 points to put them just six points off Sharjah in top spot.

    Algerian striker Mohamed Benyettou has lit up the league so far, sitting joint second in the scoring charts with seven goals – just one behind Welliton. They are looking solid in defence too, their 13 goals conceded is the joint third best record in the top-flight.

    A tilt at the title seems far-fetched, but crazier things have happened.

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