Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club’s grip on their first ADNOC Pro League title strengthened in a significant matchweek 21.
The unstoppable Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba’s forceful late header — a 22nd goal in 21 top-flight runouts this term — pegged the merged club back to a 1-1 draw at second-placed champions Al-Ain, when play resumed after the international break.
With the chasing pack all faltering, Shabab Al-Ahli are now five points clear with only five matches to play.
Third-placed Al-Wahda and fifth-placed, big-spending Sharjah played out a goalless draw at Al-Nahyan Stadium. Fourth-placed Al-Wasl, meanwhile, went ahead in the first minute through UAE flyer Ali Saleh’s fine solo strike, but goals from venerated compatriot Ali Mabkhout and Morocco winger Achraf Bencharki saw 2020-21 champions Al-Jazira prevail 2-1 on the road.
Elsewhere, Tunisia schemer Firas Ben Larbi had two second-half penalties saved when the nine men of promoted Al-Bataeh held on for a steadfast 1-1 draw with seventh-placed Ajman. Bottom-placed Al-Dhafra’s long top-flight stint looks certain to end, thanks to mid-table Baniyas’ 4-2 victory at Madinat Zayed.
Dibba Al-Fujairah, in 13th, kept slender hopes of an escape alive courtesy of a 1-0 victory against Khor Fakkan, earned through Alvaro de Oliveira’s 55th-minute finish.
Meanwhile, Al-Nasr’s troubles became an increasingly distant memory when a 3-0 win versus Ittihad Kalba moved them up to ninth, having taken 12 points from the last available 18.
Here are Arab News’ top picks and a talking point from the latest action.
Player of the week — Zayed Al-Hammadi (Al-Bataeh)
It was the personal duel which Zayed Al-Hammadi had little expectation to win once, let alone twice.
The scale of the Bataeh goalkeeper’s achievement versus the electric Ben Larbi — a provider of 19 goal contributions from 20 league outings this term, before Friday night — is exemplified by the fact he produced the standout highlights of a round which contained champions versus leaders. Plus, another heavyweight contest between Wahda and a Sharjah that introduced Barcelona alumni Paco Alcacer and Miralem Pjanic as substitutes.
Equivalent flashes of genius had been rare throughout the 27-year-old’s prior 66 topflight appearances for Dhafra, Hatta, Khor Fakkan and now Bataeh. But no one can accuse the Wahda-owned shot stopper of not doing his homework.
The exceptional Ben Larbi had successfully sent four prior penalties this term to the bottom right of the goal.
It would be this favored area he would return to, twice at Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium against opponents one spot outside the drop zone and winless in 10 topflight matches.
And twice, he had found a gleeful Al-Hammadi in that exact spot.
These were just two of seven saves, from Ajman’s 22 attempts. On another day, the high-flying visitors would have comfortably prevailed.
But this was not to be their day. It was, emphatically, Al-Hammadi’s.
Goal of the week — Ryan Mendes (Al-Nasr)
Moments of inspiration have been rare this season, for both Ryan Mendes and Nasr.
But there was a timely return to form against Kalba.
The Cape Verde international, who shone so brightly in Sharjah’s unpredicted 2018-19 title success, charged at goal from 30-yards out.
Several shimmies at high speed took him past a retreating trio of spellbound visiting defenders at Al-Maktoum Stadium, before a rasping strike cannoned off helpless goalkeeper Eisa Houti and in for a first club goal since October’s pair versus the same opponent.
If only the 33-year-old winger could play Kalba every week.
Coach of the week – Marcel Keizer (Al-Jazira)
A result, and a performance, sorely needed by Jazira’s leader.
Keizer’s acumen and continued suitably has been vigorously questioned in a campaign pockmarked by devastating collapses, most infamously versus Al-Ain and Shabab Al-Ahli.
This time, however, tables were turned by the ex-Ajax tactician whose contract for his second stint at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium is up this June.
A gift was accepted in memorable fashion by Wasl’s Saleh in the opening minute. Another long day appeared set for a richly talented Jazira squad, ailing in mid table before kickoff at Zabeel Stadium.
But a flowing team move, decisively dispatched by Mabkhout showcased their enduring spirit past the hour mark. Bencharki would then loop home a fine header with 10 minutes left to seal an encouraging win.
This result wounded Al-Wasl — dropping them six points off title pace with just five fixtures in arrears — far more than it lifted a Jazira whose ambitions were firmly extinguished last month.
But Keizer can derive tangible professional pride from this.
Time is finally catching up with descending Dhafra
Dhafra’s miserable descent appears guaranteed to reach its logical end point.
Collapse at home to Baniyas sank the bottom-placed club 10 points away from safety, with only 15 points still up for grabs this season. A decade in the top flight from the Western Region’s sole representative is poised to reach an ignominious end, likely before April’s conclusion.
This probable relegation has been both inevitable and swift.
It was only 2018-20 when successive President’s Cup final appearances were earned under Vuk Rasovic, a resourceful coach who had go on to lift Al-Fayha’s inaugural King’s Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Clubs of Dhafra’s size and means must continually box smart. When repeated mistakes in transfer strategy and managerial recruitment mounted up after Rasovic was drawn to Wahda, a downwards trend towards the First Division League became assured.
Subsequent years have witnessed a plethora of woeful signings, the nadir being 2021-22’s belated twin summer captures of yesterday’s men Leonardo and Imoh Ezekiel.
Relegation was narrowly avoided on last season’s final day. It will not run so close this term, and there can be no complaints.
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