Round 15 of the 2018/19 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Diego (Al Dhafra)
Even though three different scorers notched in Dhafra’s famous 3-0 thrashing of champions Al Ain, a hat-trick – of sorts – was registered.
Brazilian midfielder Diego teed up all three goals, moving onto five assists in his debut campaign.
This type of influence is required by the reigning Ligue 2 Player of the Year, going ahead.
Diego (r) – (Al Ain).
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Goal of the week contenders were in plentiful supply when the Pride of Abu Dhabi battered Fujairah.
From Abdalla Ramadan’s piledriver to Nacer Barazite’s unflinching spot-kick, Jazira’s strikes all oozed class.
But at the head of the field was UAE playmaker Mubarak’s 41st-minute chip.
The 23-year-old collected a deep ball and wheeled away in celebration the moment his boot made connection with his impudent no-look dink over the goalkeeper. What a player.
(Twitter/@AlJazira_uae).
COACH OF THE WEEK
Krunoslav Jurcic (Bani Yas)
Special chemistry is at play when Croatian coaches come to the Arabian Gulf League.
A recent lineage that began with Zlatko Dalic and Zoran Mamic is being continued by Jurcic at the promoted Sky Blues.
The 2-1 victory at sorry Al Wasl made it five wins, one draw and one defeat in the World Cup 1998 squad member’s last seven games in charge. A contender for Al Ain’s vacant coaching post is emerging.
(Twitter/@BaniyasClub).
TALKING POINT
Boss are well below par
The sense of apathy that has enveloped the UAE’s most-decorated club was brought to life on Friday.
Al Ain’s 3-0 loss at lowly Dhafra, however, was months in the making.
Mamic has defected, Hussein El Shahat’s been sold, Caio is off to Benfica and Ruben Ribeiro is average. Such calls mean 2018/19 can only be considered as a write-off.
