\n
\nSharjah\u2019s superstars showcased their collective might, Belgium center back Jason Denayer endured a chastening Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club debut and an electrified Al-Wasl exhibited flashes of brilliance in a fevered Bur Dubai derby when the ADNOC Pro League returned at the weekend.<\/p>\n
\nA lively restart after the international break was headlined by a double strike from Al-Wasl\u2019s Gabrielzinho in a raucous 2-1 win at Al-Nasr\u2019s packed out Al-Maktoum Stadium. Former Barcelona ace Miralem Pjanic netted his second goal in UAE football and Greece center back Kostas Manolas didn\u2019t put a foot wrong during his first appearance as last season\u2019s runners-up Sharjah sustained the now sole 100 percent start with a 3-0 win at Khor Fakkan.<\/p>\n
\nThere was less joy for second-half substitute Denayer who witnessed new employers Shabab Al-Ahli go down 3-2 at expected strugglers Al-Dhafra.<\/p>\n
\nChampions Al-Ain rebounded in a 3-0 beating of dark horses Ittihad Kalba, while Carlos Carvalhal ignored the noise surrounding him at Al-Wahda with an emphatic 4-0 victory at upstarts Al-Bataeh,\u00a0although this result couldn\u2019t prevent him becoming the campaign\u2019s first managerial casualty.<\/p>\n
\nEx-Serbia youth international Sasa Ivkovic\u2019s 94th-minute goal, meanwhile, saw Al-Jazira drop points for the first time with a 1-1 draw at Baniyas, and Morocco hit man Walid Azaro\u2019s brace helped Ajman to a 3-1 win \u2014 their first of the campaign \u2014 against promoted Dibba Al-Fujairah.<\/p>\n
\nHere are Arab News\u2019 top picks and a talking point from the matchweek four action:<\/p>\n
\nPlayer of the week: Gabrielzinho (Al-Wasl)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nIt was supposed to be the weekend when star power dominated. It was, though, a less-heralded addition from the division\u2019s extensive summer trolley dash who shone brightest.<\/p>\n
\nGabrielzinho arrived to little fanfare at Zabeel Stadium from promoted Portuguese outfit Rio Ave in July. But the 26-year-old winger guaranteed himself Wasl supporters\u2019 eternal affections with a decisive \u2014 and defining \u2014 brace in Saturday\u2019s derby.<\/p>\n
\nEach goal saw the ball move from the Wasl penalty box to their opponents\u2019 at lightning speed. Each involved a youthful trident of emerging UAE golden child Ali Saleh, increasingly influential Argentina youth international Tomas Chancalay \u2014 unburdened about an eligibility row when on the pitch \u2014 and the Brazilian free agent.<\/p>\n
\nThe latter pair directly contributed to both goals. Chancalay\u2019s ability to dribble and retain clear vision at high velocity was rewarded with both assists for Gabrielzinho \u2014 one finish into the roof, the other into the bottom left.<\/p>\n
\nAl-Wasl had only 29 percent possession and lost the attempts count 16-9 on a night in which ex-AC Milan, Benfica and Morocco midfielder Adel Taarabt debuted for the opposing Blue Wave.<\/p>\n
\nBut expressive head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi\u2019s blueprint was all over this. Center backs Aleksandar Vasiljevic and Soufiane Bouftini defended stoutly, allowing a vibrant attack \u2014 led by Gabrielzinho \u2014 space to plunder.<\/p>\n
\nGoal of the week: Mohamed Rayhi (Al-Dhafra)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nRemarkable goals and remarkable results adorned this round.<\/p>\n
\nToze\u2019s unstoppable free kick was immaterial for Nasr, Azaro\u2019s whipped second secured Ajman three points and Caio\u2019s thunderbolt showed it\u2019s not just the massive names who\u2019ll stylishly deliver for Sharjah.<\/p>\n
\nThe best of all, however, came in the Western Region.<\/p>\n
\nMohamed Rayhi sparked bedlam amid Dhafra\u2019s technical team as his measured, curled effort from 30 yards near the hour mark put the unfancied hosts 3-0 up against celebrated Shabab Al-Ahli.<\/p>\n
\nThis moment typified the defiance, ingenuity and skill required to prevail in such a mismatch.<\/p>\n
\nIt provided enough of a buffer to eventually win 3-2 and an injection of belief to hang on for this memorable first three-point haul of the season.<\/p>\n
\nCoach of the week: Carlos Carvalhal (Al-Wahda)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nManagers rarely field questions about their futures in the aftermath of a 4-0 victory.<\/p>\n
\nThis was, however, the case on Sunday for Carvalhal.<\/p>\n
\nDisquiet and rancour after a winless beginning stained the build-up to a seemingly tricky trip to Bataeh. These issues were pushed to one side, for 90 minutes at least, in an uplifting performance on the east coast.<\/p>\n
\nPortuguese sports daily O Jogo then reported after the final whistle about an impending exit for Carvalhal and return of Spain\u2019s Manolo Jimenez. The former\u2019s departure was then made official on Monday night, with the latter\u2019s rehiring \u2013 he led them to fifth in 2019-20 eason \u2013 expected to imminently follow.<\/p>\n
\nCarvalhal\u2019s swansong saw ex-Everton and Napoli defensive midfielder Allan adding bite upon his opening start, with former Benfica skipper Pizzi buzzing around with seven key passes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nVeteran striker Sebastian Tagliabue\u2019s first goal back at the Al Nahyan Stadium-outfit \u2013 a 153rd in the top flight for them – supplied further gloss, in a fixture dominated by set-pieces.<\/p>\n
\nCarvalhal – a coveted former Sporting Lisbon, Besiktas, Swansea City and Braga tactician \u2013 was just four months into a lucrative one-season deal. He swiftly leaves with barely an imprint made.<\/p>\n
\nLocal talent isn\u2019t being crowded out<\/strong><\/p>\n\nIt would be curious to consult UAE head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena about this unprecedented transfer window.<\/p>\n
\nThe former Boca Juniors, Villarreal and Argentina full back is patently aware of top-level demands. But there must be a degree of nervousness about opportunities afforded to potential Whites stars, especially after a scoreless international period which contained 1-0 and 4-0 friendly reversals to Paraguay and Venezuela.<\/p>\n
\nYet, the 47-year-old should be encouraged by the sight of six UAE-eligible scorers in matchweek four.<\/p>\n
\nMabkhout maintained his one-goal lead in the scoring chart, Wahda center back Fares Juma struck from a set piece, 20-year-old forward Ahmed Fawzi marked his Jazira-to-Dhafra loan with a goal and Shabab Al-Ahli wide man Yahya Al-Ghassani tapped home in vain.<\/p>\n
\nNaturalized attackers Tagliabue and Caio Canedo also got in on the action.<\/p>\n
\nIt was this season\u2019s joint highest round tally for UAE-eligible players. A fact given greater value as it followed the previous fortnight\u2019s accumulation of more renowned foreigners.<\/p>\n
\nEmirati players are responding positively, it seems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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