Round 9 of the 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
Al Ain eased the pressure on coach Ivan Leko with an emphatic, come-from-behind 4-1 triumph away to sinking Ajman. Champions Sharjah also returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Al Nasr that ended new coach Krunoslav Jurcic’s eight-match opening without defeat, in all competitions.
At the bottom, promoted Khor Fakkan twice rebounded to draw 2-2 at floundering Al Wahda and Bani Yas left it late to beat Hatta 1-0.
Here are Sport360°’s top picks and a talking point:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bismark (Khor Fakkan)
Much had been expected of Brazilian winger Bismark when he was recruited from Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah.
His influential role in the rousing 2-2 stalemate at Al Wahda may represent a belated breakthrough. His driving run helped force Dodo’s first leveller, with a cute, cut-back free-kick also allowing substitute Fahad Hadid to seal a point late on.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Peniel Mlapa (Ittihad Kalba)
(Twitter/@ittihadkalbafc).
Write off Mlapa as a limited target man at your peril.
The ex-Germany Under-21 prospect produced one of the strikes of the season in Ittihad Kalba’s 1-1 draw at Al Dhafra. A graceful turn in the penalty box with his back to goal was then followed by a thunderous finish into the top corner.
COACH OF THE WEEK
Ivan Leko (Al Ain)
(Al Ain).
The life of a coach in the UAE can be a trying one.
Not even Leko’s strong reputation earned at Club Brugge could protect him from serious disgruntlement about a three-match winless streak in the AGL. These qualms were put to one side when Al Ain roared back to win 4-1 at Ajman. What crisis?
TALKING POINT
Shabab Al Ahli striker travails cast poor light on planning
Glorious chances went begging for second-placed Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club in the 1-1 draw with Al Wasl.
Only four of the hosts’ 17 attempts found the target at Rashid Stadium.
Henrique Luvannor has two AGL goals, Ahmed Khalil none. Compare their returns to those of new boys Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (nine – Al Ain), Mlapa (six – Kalba) and Ricardo Gomes (six – Sharjah).
Why did the club pursue bit-part winger Federico Cartabia, rather than a proper No9?
