Round nine of the 2018/19 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
Here are Sport360’s top picks:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club)
The UAE winger rode a rollercoaster in Monday’s 2-1 victory at Emirates Club.
Shabab Al Ahli appeared to be cruising towards a half-time lead, before the ball was hammered against Al Hammadi’s hand and Cheick Diabate levelled from the spot.
Amends was made ASAP with a cute slide-rule pass which put the prolific Jaime Ayovi in to win it.
(Twitter/@Shabab_AlAhliFC).
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Saif Rashid (Sharjah)
Rashid took things into his own hands in an ultimately frustrating 2-2 draw for the league against yo-yo side Ittihad Kalba.
Little seemed on when the bustling right winger forced a defensive blunder near the halfway line.
Fast forward less than 10 seconds later and he’d punished back-tracking Kalba with a fine slow shot.
(Twitter/@AGLeague).
COACH OF THE WEEK
Marcel Keizer (Al Jazira)
A swift return to Europe with Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon appears just a matter of time for Keizer.
If the ex-Ajax coach is to leave Abu Dhabi after just five months, he goes with his head held high.
Rampant speculation was ignored to ensure his unbeaten troops defeated Al Wasl 2-0. Keizer is going to be missed.
(Twitter/@AlJazira_uae).
TALKING POINT
What’s going wrong at Wahda?
More points have slipped away for Laurentiu Reghecampf’s Al Wahda.
The 3-3 draw at promoted Fujairah made for frantic viewing. Wahda went 1-0 down, breezed to a 3-1 lead, then conceded twice in seven minutes and were saved from defeat by the woodwork in injury time.
Victory was last tasted by expected title contenders four matches ago. Alarmingly, these games have seen 11 goals conceded.
But fitness and concentration are also lacking. The last three fixtures have witnessed damaging goals conceded past 80 minutes.
Answers must be found in the international break.
