\n
\nLeonardo Jardim\u2019s Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club claimed the ADNOC Pro League\u2019s lead at the halfway stage when another sizeable international hiatus ended with a flurry of red cards and eye-opening performances.<\/p>\n
\nPained memories of the UAE\u2019s concerning Arabian Gulf Cup showing were temporarily shelved when domestic duty resumed after a month away. Shabab Al-Ahli rebounded from ever-impressive Tunisia schemer Firas Ben Larbi\u2019s rocket, to produce a trio of unanswered goals in Monday\u2019s 3-1 triumph against an Ajman who had Mohammed Ismail dismissed after only 25 seconds.<\/p>\n
\nThis result followed Sunday\u2019s consequential 1-1 draw for 10-man Sharjah \u2014 bedeviled by disciplinary issues once more \u2014 against third-from-bottom Al-Nasr, with their league lead subsequently being ceded.<\/p>\n
\nA penalty by Sharjah\u2019s Caio in the 79th minute saved the blushes of teammate Darwish Bin Habib, following his uncomfortable own goal.<\/p>\n
\nA rollercoaster contest was played out when inconsistent holders Al-Ain visited new boys Al-Bataeh. The former prevailed 3-2 thanks to unstoppable Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba\u2019s superb 87th-minute header, negating an implosion from two-goals catalyzed by fullback Erik\u2019s red card.<\/p>\n
\nAhmed Al-Naqbi\u2019s double heaped more misery on faltering 2020-21 champions Al-Jazira in a 2-1 home win for Ittihad Kalba, and the unlikely figure of Morocco center-back Soufiane Bouftini netted twice during Al-Wasl\u2019s 3-0 demolition of Khor Fakkan.<\/p>\n
\nTitle-chasing Al-Wahda had double reason to celebrate after Joao Pedro produced the only goal, in the 91st minute, at his former side Baniyas, while high-profile winter loanee Matheus Pereira should debut later this week.<\/p>\n
\nAl-Dhafra, meanwhile, roared back from behind to prevail 2-1 in the basement battle with promoted Dibba Al-Fujairah.<\/p>\n
\nHere are Arab News\u2019 top picks and a talking point from the latest action.<\/p>\n
\nPlayer of the Week \u2014 Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (Al-Ain)<\/p>\n
\nExtraordinary feats can be taken for granted when prolific scorers are involved.<\/p>\n
\nAgain, Serhiy Rebrov\u2019s Al-Ain creaked under pressure. Again, their iconic No. 9 came to the rescue.<\/p>\n
\nLaba opened and completed the scoring at Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi Stadium. In-between, chaos ensued.<\/p>\n
\nThat\u2019s now 14 league goals for the campaign \u2014 a number equaled only by the legendary Ali Mabkhout. Yet since Laba\u2019s July 2019 arrival from Morocco\u2019s RS Berkane, his 72 topflight strikes in 76 run outs is 10 more than the aforementioned Jazira icon.<\/p>\n
\nLaba\u2019s goals have also been worth 10 points to this seventh-placed Boss by nickname, not nature.<\/p>\n
\nSuch consistent influence across an extended period of time was last witnessed at the UAE\u2019s most-decorated club by Ghana superstar Asamoah Gyan. Even Sweden\u2019s Marcus Berg tailed off, after a lightning start.<\/p>\n
\nLaba\u2019s longevity has thrust him into a rarefied realm. How fortunate Al-Ain are to have him.<\/p>\n
\nGoal of the Week \u2014 Firas Ben Larbi (Ajman)<\/p>\n
\nFifth-placed Ajman, even in defeat, remain this season\u2019s great success story.<\/p>\n
\nTheir beating heart is Ben Larbi.<\/p>\n
\nThe 26-year-old playmaker\u2019s indisputable quality was exhibited on Monday evening. An awkward pass into him \u2014 back to goal on the edge of the penalty box \u2014 was met with an intuitive back-heeled turn, before unleashing a rasping drive from a tight angle which whizzed past helpless ex-UAE No. 1 Majed Nasser.<\/p>\n
\nThat\u2019s now 10 goal contributions for the season. Plus, another example of unalloyed genius.<\/p>\n
\nSummer links to Turkey\u2019s Sivasspor eventually came to nought. Yet with the transfer market still open in the wider region and beyond, will any more overtures follow?<\/p>\n
\nCoach of the Week \u2014 Aleksandar Veselinovic (Al-Dhafra)<\/p>\n
\nHope, and desolation, abounded in the Western Region.<\/p>\n
\nWinter-arrival Edu\u2019s header had Hassan Al-Abdouli\u2019s Dibba Al-Fujairah dreaming of a great escape. But the long-term Mahdi Ali acolyte watched his side falter to a potentially ruinous defeat.<\/p>\n
\nIt wasn\u2019t pretty from opposite number Aleksandar Veselinovic. Yet, he can point to the integration of pivotal winter buys as evidence of his worth.<\/p>\n
\nBulgaria midfielder Georgi Milanov delivered pinpoint assists for Tiago Leonco and Claudio. This created daylight to bottom-placed Dhafra, plus drew Nasr \u2014 and top-flight safety \u2014 to within one point.<\/p>\n
\nVeselinovic\u2019s return to Dhafra \u2014 he was at the helm from September 2020 to January 2021 \u2014 had been marked by four agonizing one-goal topflight defeats. What a moment to deliver victory.<\/p>\n
\nPereira is a risk worth taking for title-hunting Al-Wahda<\/p>\n
\nIt was a tale of two Twitter posts.<\/p>\n
\nPereira went from one tweet blasting \u201cfake news\u201d about Roshn Saudi League holders Al-Hilal\u2019s desire to dispense with him, to the next showcasing a beaming smile at temporary new employers Wahda.<\/p>\n
\nThis dichotomy exemplifies the situation the Clarets have got themselves into. Will the 26-year-old ignite the third-placed side\u2019s bid for a first topflight title since 2009-10, or disrupt a settled unit?<\/p>\n
\nThe Brazilian winger is, unquestionably, the winter window\u2019s marquee addition. Not even Al-Ain\u2019s Croatia center-back Tin Jedvaj would dispute that exalted status.<\/p>\n
\nIt was only 2020-21 when the attacker netted 11 Premier League goals for West Bromwich Albion. A competition-high 11 topflight assists the next season followed a reported eight-digit switch to Riyadh.<\/p>\n
\nYet, seven league run outs this term delivered zero goal contributions. He\u2019d turned from main provider at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, to an irrelevance.<\/p>\n
\nWahda cannot argue they have recruited a star name in stellar form.<\/p>\n
\nThe prospect, however, of Pereira\u2019s laser-guided set-piece deliveries being converted by 10-goal Pedro \u2014 he of Monday\u2019s injury time clincher at former charges Baniyas \u2014 is a tantalizing one.<\/p>\n
\nWahda are already the division\u2019s joint second-highest scorers. Pump that even higher and they could blow everyone away.<\/p>\n
\nIt is now up to Manolo Jimenez to unlock a premium talent. Do that and the ADNOC Pro League\u2019s trophy case could also be opening at Al-Nahyan Stadium.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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