Round 4 of the 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
Champions Sharjah earned a punishing 5-1 victory against woeful Al Wasl thanks to another dose of Igor Coronado magic, while Al Ain had prolific summer buy Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba for a late 2-1 win versus promoted Hatta. At the other end, Ittihad Kalba gained a first triumph through Peniel Mlapa’s powerful header against Fujairah.
Here are Sport360°’s top picks and a talking point:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alvaro Negredo (Al Nasr)
(Twitter/@ALNasrSC).
In a week when rumours of a winter exit strengthened, Alvaro Negredo showed his continuing commitment.
The ex-Spain striker headed, naturally, a brace for Al Nasr when they beat Al Wahda 3-1 to pick up their first three points of an awful 2019/20. Keep this up and he can leave for Almeria as a hero.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Leonardo (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club)
(Twitter/@Shabab_AlAhliFC).
So much is expected of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club’s summer recruit.
And the ex-Al Wahda forward continued to deliver with a cheeky strike in the 2-0 win versus Bani Yas.
A fourth AGL goal of the campaign came with a rascal of a nutmeg, before winding up for a rocket that flew into the roof of the net.
COACH OF THE WEEK
Jorge Da Silva (Ittihad Kalba)
(Twitter/@ittihadkalbafc).
A positive first impression for the Tigers’ new man at the helm.
The former Al Nassr and Bani Yas tactician had Togo centre forward Peniel Mlapa’s concussive second-half header to thank for a debut win versus Fujairah. This 1-0 triumph was Kalba’s first in the AGL since December 14, 2018, plus first clean sheet since last April – the great escape begins.
TALKING POINT
Wasl’s sums will soon not add up about woeful Reghecampf’s future
With each passing humiliation it becomes ever more glaring that the only thing protecting bottom-placed Al Wasl coach Laurentiu Reghecampf is his preposterous wage packet.
Saturday’s 5-1 surrender to champions Sharjah made it seven AGL matches without victory. In normal circumstance, the exit door would have long beckoned.
These, however, are not normal circumstance. Not when a rumoured termination fee of Dh12 million is involved.
What will cost more, the Romanian’s compensation or relegation?
