\n
\nStar-studded Sharjah stumbled and champions Al-Ain continued to flounder during a consequential matchweek six in the ADNOC Pro League.<\/p>\n
\nGilberto\u2019s second-half strike gifted a 1-0 triumph to shock leaders Al-Wasl in a summit clash with the previously unbeaten Sharjah, defined by Caio\u2019s avoidable 35th-minute dismissal for twin bookings.<\/p>\n
\nThe 2020-21 champions Al-Jazira also faltered after veteran UAE defender Yousif Jaber struck in the 97th minute to earn Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club an unforgettable 2-1 victory and send their typically taciturn head coach Leonardo Jardim flying through the air in celebration.<\/p>\n
\nAl-Wasl on 14 points now lead the table by one point from Sharjah after six rounds.<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, Al-Ain anchorman Ahmed Barman\u2019s own goal at a packed Hazza bin Zayed Stadium handed recovering Al-Wahda bragging rights with their rollercoaster 3-2 derby success and dropped the reigning champions four points off the front.<\/p>\n
\nGambia striker Dembo Darboe\u2019s astute turn and finish in the 86th minute salvaged a 1-1 draw for Al-Nasr at Baniyas, though boss Thorsten Fink stays embattled. Prolific summer addition Lourency doubled up when new boys Al-Bataeh returned to winning ways in a 2-1 win at struggling Al-Dhafra, Ittihad Kalba left it late to down another promoted side in Dibba Al-Fujairah 2-0 during ex-Al-Wahda supremo Gregory Dufrennes\u2019 top-flight debut, and Ajman vs Khor Fakkan was goalless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nHere are Arab News\u2019 top picks and talking points from the latest action.<\/p>\n
\nPlayer of the Week: Ruben Canedo (Al-Wahda)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nA coming-of-age display delivered in what is swiftly becoming UAE football\u2019s most-contested fixture.<\/p>\n
\nPortuguese left-back Ruben Canedo, 20, registered two official assists, and an unofficial third for Barman\u2019s own goal, when Wahda produced a rousing comeback to triumph in the Garden City for the first time since February 2014.<\/p>\n
\nThis influential performance is a testament to the value of patience.<\/p>\n
\nCanedo arrived in the UAE capital from Porto\u2019s fabled academy back in September 2020. Yet it is only now that he has become a regular starter.<\/p>\n
\nTime and effort have been put into honing a prospect deemed worthy of featuring in the UEFA Youth League by his former club.<\/p>\n
\nCanedo exhibited rare composure to cut back for Euro 2016-winning compatriot Adrien Silva\u2019s 43rd-minute leveler. He then lofted an intelligent cross onto the on-rushing Joao Pedro\u2019s head moments later for the second and forced Barman into a deciding error immediately after the break.<\/p>\n
\nWork remains to be done. Morocco winger Soufiane Rahimi\u2019s first came via a center conjured from Canedo\u2019s wing, and he won only 37.5 percent of defensive duels.<\/p>\n
\nIt will be intriguing to watch his developmental path.<\/p>\n
\nGoal of the Week: Gilberto (Al-Wasl)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nGreat goals are not momentary experiences.<\/p>\n
\nGilberto\u2019s superb clincher against Sharjah\u2019s 10 men moved beyond the ephemeral. It was an exemplar of the remarkable transformation achieved in Juan Antonio Pizzi\u2019s opening months and crystalized renewed belief flooding through UAE football\u2019s premier 20th-century club.<\/p>\n
\nA hopeful punt in the air from UAE midfielder Ali Salmeen was back-heel-volleyed to Gilberto by the magical Fabio De Lima. The 33-year-old then performed the tightest of turns inside a condensed penalty box and curled into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
\nCue bedlam from Al-Wasl supporters who traveled en masse to Sharjah Stadium.<\/p>\n
\nGilberto had meandered upon arrival last January from Bahia, constrained by Odair Hellmann\u2019s dour tactics. He recorded four goals in 14 matches last term \u2014 he\u2019s already equaled this tally in six fixtures under the unbounded Pizzi.<\/p>\n
\nSharjah, for whom ex-Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic came off injured ahead of Friday\u2019s President\u2019s Cup final versus Al-Wahda, represented Wasl\u2019s first test in a stringent trio of fixtures. Ittihad Kalba and Al-Jazira round off this month.<\/p>\n
\nUphold the sole unbeaten record by November and ambitions about a first top-flight trophy since 2006-07 become tangible.<\/p>\n
\nCoach of the Week: Leonardo Jardim (Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club)<\/strong><\/p>\n\nIt has been a mixed introduction to UAE football for Jardim.<\/p>\n
\nBut this huge result \u2014 and subsequent jubilation \u2014 felt seismic.<\/p>\n
\nJardim\u2019s counter-punching style saw Al-Jazira, minus iconic marksman Ali Mabkhout, dominate possession at Rashid Stadium. When Bruno popped up with a deserved 87th-minute leveler for the visitors, a stalemate seemed certain.<\/p>\n
\nBut Jardim never stopped believing. Substitutes Azizjon Ganiev and Jaber combined to deliver Shabab Al-Ahli\u2019s grandstand finish, via an emphatic header from a corner.<\/p>\n
\nThe ex-Monaco and Al-Hilal tactician is still searching for a coherent XI. But like at Dibba last month, game-changing substitutions were initiated.<\/p>\n
\nShabab Al-Ahli, and their esteemed manager, remain within range.<\/p>\n
\nShape of things to come<\/strong><\/p>\n\nForces of sporting gravity are at play.<\/p>\n
\nA scan of the standings showcases a crowded top six, containing the competition\u2019s grandest names separated by four points. The sole surprise is that Al-Wasl lead the way.<\/p>\n
\nPredicted dark horses Kalba and Al-Bataeh are within striking distance. So too are ever-improving Ajman.<\/p>\n
\nThe question now emerges about whether a season for the ages is set.<\/p>\n
\nThe 2021-22 campaign provides a cautionary note.<\/p>\n
\nThe top six had the same margin at this stage. Al-Ain would, though, cruise 10 points ahead by the campaign\u2019s end.<\/p>\n
\nFundamentals are key. How many clubs can sustain the pace, especially in an unprecedented season interrupted by World Cup 2022?<\/p>\n
\nThis is where organizers, the Pro League Committee, should feel bullish.<\/p>\n
\nTalent is evenly spread after Sharjah, Al-Jazira, Al-Ain, Al-Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli made eye-catching additions. Ittihad Kalba, Al-Wasl and Al-Bataeh recruited intelligently.<\/p>\n
\nExpert management is in situ at clubs where fanbases appear freshly attached.<\/p>\n
\nNail-biting title races are not traditional in the ADNOC Pro League.<\/p>\n
\nThe average winning margin in the professional era is nine points. The 2020-21 season is the only time several clubs engaged in a meaningful contest.<\/p>\n
\nAn atypical 2022\/23 promises to defy typical expectations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UAE Pro League review: Al-Wasl defeat star-studded Sharjah to reach top of the table Star-studded Sharjah…<\/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-6024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sport"],"yoast_head":"\n
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