Match-week 2 in the Arabian Gulf League saw the shares spoiled from a heavyweight clash and a national icon suffer a worrying moment.
Headers by Togo centre forward Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba and Yousif Jaber ensured a 1-1 draw between 2019/20 pacesetters Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club and record 13-time-champions Al Ain. But earlier on Friday there were harrowing scenes, calmed on Sunday after a positive medical update, in the 1-1 draw between Al Jazira and Al Dhafra when Omar Abdulrahman was stretchered off.
Elsewhere, Salem Rabie’s audition for the permanent job at Al Wasl went perfectly with a 4-2 victory at struggling Hatta. Potent Brazilian striker Joao Pedro got a brace in Bani Yas’ 3-1 triumph at Fujairah, Habib Fardan came off the bench to hand Al Nasr a 1-0 win at Khor Fakkan, Shahin Abdulrahman’s late header made it 2-1 to 2018/19 champions Sharjah at Al Wahda and Togo striker Peniel Mlapa’s rocket gave Ittihad Kalba a confidence-boosting 1-0 win at Ajman.
Here are the stars of the round and a key talking point:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ronaldo Mendes (Al Wasl)
(Twitter/@AlWaslSC).
27/04/2019 – This was the last time Mendes notched for Wasl after being bedevilled by serious injury.
He was, however, back to his best on Thursday at Hatta with a stupendous free-kick and pair of precision corners headed home by centre-back Neris.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder was the beating heart of a much-improved display now Laurentiu Reghecampf has departed and been replaced by Emirati coach Rabie. The future is looker bright, once again, for Mendes and Wasl.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Joao Pedro (Bani Yas)
(Wyscout).
Pedro has begun 2020/21 like an express train.
The South American, on loan from Dhafra, summoned all this momentum for his second goal in Thursday’s come-from-behind victory at Fujairah. Pedro checked back on the left-hand side of the penalty box and unleashed a venomous drive into the far corner of Abdullah Al Tamim’s goal.
Utterly unstoppable. Just like rejuvenated Bani are looking in the early weeks.
COACH OF THE WEEK
Krunoslav Jurcic (Al Nasr)
(UAE Pro League).
Great substitutions represent a conflicted proposition for coaches.
Should they be hailed for concocting them, or criticised for being forced into making them in the first place? Clear method could be seen in Friday’s narrow win for the Blue Wave at Khor Fakkan.
The hosts provided a constant threat on the counter-attack, before the possession-heavy Blue Wave began to dominate. Tired legs left space for willing midfield runners and this is exactly what box-to-box dynamo Habib Fardan did, charging onto left-back Mahmoud Khamis’ cross to lash into an open goal 12 minutes after being thrown on.
TALKING POINT
AMOORY ANGUISH
It was a sight that all Asian football fans dread, yet one they’ve – sadly – grown accustomed to witnessing.
UAE golden boy Omar Abdulrahman was left crumpled in pain in the 22nd minute of Friday’s stalemate with Dhafra. Alarmingly, Amoory was clutching his right knee after making a pass on the stretch rather than receiving a tackle.
“I hope it will not be a significant injury, because he is an important player and his absence from the team is a strong blow to us,” said Pride of Abu Dhabi boss Marcel Keizer post-match.
The Dutchman’s hopes, thankfully, were met.
“The results of the medical examinations conducted for Omar Abdulrahman after his fall revealed the integrity of the knee ligaments and cartilage, with a slight swelling in the knee,” the club tweeted on Sunday evening. “Omar will undergo rehabilitative treatment, and the medical team will determine a date for his return to training at a later time.”
We are, though, talking about someone whose suffered three major knee injuries throughout his celebrated career, the latest coming in October 2018 when at Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. Concern is only natural.
Jazira will note the immediate loss of a playmaker whom they’ve, admittedly, rarely witnessed at his searing best. Only three goals and two assists have been registered in 21 top-flight appearances, yet his influence remains palpable.
Memories endure of March’s masterclass in victory against former employers Al Ain.
Jorge Luis Pinto will now expect to have the 29-year-old among his UAE squad for next month’s critical friendlies with Bahrain and Tajikistan. It is critical that Amoory gets up to full speed… and soon.
Every club game counts after a disrupted few seasons.
World Cup 2022 qualifying resumes next year. What shape will the 2016 AFC Player of the Year be in?
A wishful nation hopes for the best.
MATCH-WEEK 2 RESULTS
THURSDAY
Hatta 2-4 Al Wasl
Fujairah 1-3 Bani Yas
Sharjah 2-1 Al Wahda
FRIDAY
Khor Fakkan 0-1 Al Nasr
Al Jazira 1-1 Al Dhafra
Ajman 0-1 Ittihad Kalba
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club 1-1 Al Ain
