Round 20 of the 2018/19 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
Here are Sport360’°s top picks and a talking point:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Habib Fardan (Al Nasr)
A resurgence continues for Fardan and his beloved Nasr.
The 28-year-old, back after four mixed years away, notched a header and deflected drive in a 3-1 victory versus Emirates Club. This capped off a strong personal run, which includes last month’s UAE recall.
For Nasr, that’s now three wins in a row under caretaker Caio Zanardi.
(Twitter/@ALNasrSC).
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Nacer Barazite (Al Jazira)
Maybe Al Jazira and Manchester City share more than patronage by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
A goal of startling quality in the 2-2 draw with Dibba Al Fujairah ended with five one-touch passes, before midfielder Nacer Barazite tapped the ball in. Sheer beauty.
(Twitter/@AlJazira_uae).
COACH OF THE WEEK
Juan Carlos Garrido (Al Ain)
A show of defiance in the face of adversity from – recently diminished – Al Ain.
Injuries, poor form and disciplinary issues saw the sinking champions rock up at imminent usurpers Sharjah with a thrashing expected. Instead, a 2-2 draw – that ended a two-match losing streak – was laced with frustration as it included an 88th-minute leveller.
(Twitter/@alainfcae).
TALKING POINT
What’s wrong at Wasl?
Al Wasl should be checking the fine print of the renewal, worth $7 million, signed until 2021 by boss Laurentiu Reghecampf last month.
The surrender from three-goals up to draw 3-3 at second-bottom Fujairah ended a three-match winless run in the worst-possible manner.
After five years of progress, Wasl have taken troubling backwards steps. Reghecampf is yet to truly show he’s the man to lift them again.
