\n
\nSpoils were shared in the epic summit clash between Al-Jazira and Sharjah, Andriy Yarmolenko showcased his class for Al-Ain and there was further frustration for Leonardo Jardim\u2019s Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club in the ADNOC Pro League\u2019s memorable matchweek five.<\/p>\n
\nJazira icon Ali Mabkhout shone bright with a brace amid the galaxy of stars in Friday\u2019s sensational 3-3 draw at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, while Greece centerback Kostas Manolas was culpable for two goals during an evening to forget.<\/p>\n
\nUkraine technician Yarmolenko, meanwhile, conjured an instinctive sixth-minute finish in the Boss\u2019 2-0 victory at winless Dibba Al-Fujairah, which had dispensed with head coach Zoran Popovic post-match and hired Gregory Dufrennes.<\/p>\n
\nUAE forward Fabio De Lima\u2019s hattrick propelled Al-Wasl into second courtesy of their 4-0 rout of Al-Dhafra, Belgium defender Jason Denayer\u2019s first Shabab Al-Ahli start produced only a dispiriting goalless stalemate with Ittihad Kalba and Al-Wahda\u2019s impressive 4-0 thrashing of Al-Nasr gifting manager Manolo Jimenez a sparkling return to the capital.<\/p>\n
\nAjman earned consecutive wins with the 2-0 dispensing of Baniyas and Khor Fakkan secured their opening three points in a consummate 3-0 defeat of promoted Al-Bataeh.<\/p>\n
\nHere are Arab News\u2019 top picks and a talking point from the latest action:<\/p>\n
\nPlayer of the week: Ali Mabkhout (Al-Jazira)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nHousehold names who counted Barcelona, Roma, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus among their former employers stood in opposition.<\/p>\n
\nYet, there can be no discussion about who remains the UAE top flight\u2019s outstanding performer.<\/p>\n
\nMabkhout topped the bill during a rollercoaster heavyweight contest, played at furious tempo.<\/p>\n
\nSharjah will bemoan individual errors and Jazira will hail individual brilliance. There seemed little to separate these challengers in what could be a title race for the ages.<\/p>\n
\nA first-half double moved the UAE\u2019s top scorer onto \u2013 an Erling Haaland-esque \u2013 nine goals in five matches this term and record-extending 190 career goals in his nation\u2019s top flight. To contextualize the achievement, it is one more goal than Saudi Arabia\u2019s lionized center forward Majed Abdullah achieved at Al-Nassr in league competition during the 20th century.<\/p>\n
\nMabkhout buzzed around the park from kick-off, energized by sonorous support via packed stands. Within moments of Spain center forward Paco Alcacer\u2019s header for the visitors, he ghosted behind a bewildered Manolas and volleyed into the corner.<\/p>\n
\nA nerveless dinked finished followed almost 10 minutes later from Manolas\u2019 slapdash back-pass. Teammate Abdullah Ramadan\u2019s deflected free kick and Brazilian forward Caio\u2019s double completed the scoring.<\/p>\n
\nMabkhout has played with, and against, a series of celebrated footballers. This gem of Asian football continues to prove a cut above \u2014 no matter the company.<\/p>\n
\nGoal of the week: Pizzi (Al-Wahda)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nThese are curious times at Wahda.<\/p>\n
\nTheir 4-0 victory at Bataeh under Carlos Carvalhal was immediately followed by another 4-0 triumph versus Nasr under successor Jimenez, the Spaniard who guided them to a forgettable fifth in the 2019-20 season.<\/p>\n
\nThere was, though, a greater exuberance to this display. Set-pieces dominated the previous weekend, while Saturday was about style.<\/p>\n
\nThis was the case for Pizzi\u2019s beguiling 90th-minute conclusion. The former Benfica skipper exchanged exuberant flicked one-twos with Egypt debutant Ahmed Refaat, before lashing in an opening goal in claret from just inside the penalty box.<\/p>\n
\nA rancorous start to 2022-23 could yet come good if this standard is maintained.<\/p>\n
\nThey must be at their best on Saturday when Al-Ain welcome them to a hostile Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. The champions are unlikely to let ceding of 60 percent possession go unpunished, unlike Nasr.<\/p>\n
\nRecreation of the interplay for Pizzi\u2019s fine effort could, though, make all the difference.<\/p>\n
\nCoach of the week: Abdulaziz Al-Anbari (Khor Fakkan)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe Saqr bin Mohammed al Qassimi Stadium support waited patiently for this moment.<\/p>\n
\nKhor Fakkan\u2019s talented side had taken one point from four prior outings, despite being newly led by the 2018-19 title winner in Abdulaziz Al-Anbari.<\/p>\n
\nThe top flight\u2019s sole UAE custodian was, finally, left overjoyed by Saturday\u2019s fine result against disrupters Bataeh.<\/p>\n
\nPortuguese winger Aylton Boa Morte, the resigned Ramon Lopes and rapid Brazilian forward Juninho got on the scoresheet. But this result was truly vital to their coach.<\/p>\n
\nAl-Anbari\u2019s lifelong attachment to Sharjah \u2014 where he lifted silverware as a player and manager \u2014 was cut short last winter amid a degradation of results. The ex-UAE midfielder\u2019s reputation required rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
\nIt was essential his next post was chosen wisely. Ambitious Khor Fakkan could be an apt pick.<\/p>\n
\nManolas must react to reality check<\/strong><\/p>\n\nSharjah or their elite centerback recruit did not envisage this start when contracts were signed last month.<\/p>\n
\nFrom Manolas\u2019 leaked interaction with a lion which went viral to Friday\u2019s horror show at Jazira, it has been a chastening introduction.<\/p>\n
\nPerformances on the pitch from the former Olympiacos star will always take prominence. The latest was a torrid one in defense, but the King will hold onto promise about the extra dimension he can bring to build-up play.<\/p>\n
\nManolas was procured to dominate big nights. The 31-year-old\u2019s career has included the famous Roma \u201cRomantada\u201d against Barcelona, selection for World Cup 2014, Rome derbies and Napoli\u2019s pursuit of glory.<\/p>\n
\nBut he was still dissected by a razor-sharp Mabkhout.<\/p>\n
\nQuestion marks about concentration emerged. Was he also prepared for the opposition presented?<\/p>\n
\nA return to defensive fundamentals is essential. So, too, repetition of the wonderful, 40-yard assist for Caio which few are capable of.<\/p>\n
\nManolas\u2019 ability is unquestionable. But he would not be the ADNOC Pro League\u2019s first stellar name to stutter.<\/p>\n
\nA positive response is critical when on-song Wasl come to town for matchweek six.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UAE Pro League review: Ali Mabkhout shines in Al-Jazira\u2019s dramatic 3-3 draw with Sharjah Spoils were…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sport"],"yoast_head":"\n
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