One of the Arabian Gulf League’s glamour ties comes this Friday, electric leaders Al Wasl hosting a Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club side who have just entered a new era with ex-UAE coach Mahdi Ali.
A sell-out crowd took in this fixture last term and a similarly fevered atmosphere is expected at Rashid Stadium (19:30 kick-off).
Here are Three Deadly Stats to help preview the match:
WASL’S BRILLIANT BRAZILIANS
In Fabio De Lima and Caio Canedo, Al Wasl possess strikers to inject fear into any opponents.
The former – who inked a contract extension to 2022 on Wednesday – leads the way in the top flight with an incredible 11 goals in 10 2017/18 matches. His compatriot is not too far behind, notching seven times in the same amount of matches.
Wasl will need the duo to be at their best once again after recording two disappointing draws in a row. Both players account for 18 of the team’s 21 goals.
THE NOT-SO-MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
A breaking point comes even for a coach as successful and fearsome as Olaroiu.
Last Friday’s 1-1 stalemate with lowly Al Dhafra was their sixth successive in the AGL and seventh in all competitions. Less than 24 hours later, the Romanian’s trophy-laden four-year spell was brought to a premature end.
Replacement Ali must break this curse if he is to stand any chance of getting an extension to the six-month deal signed with the club he both previously played for and shortly led.
These results have placed Shabab Al Ahli in fifth, four places and seven points behind pace-setting Wasl.
ARRUABARRENA’S INVINCIBLES
The impact of ex-Boca Juniors coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena since his summer 2016 move to Wasl has been profound.
A team that had registered two-successive sixth-placed finishes under Argentine compatriot Gabriel Calderon was inspired to finish second in 2016/17. The Cheetahs have continued improving, a 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions fueling their charge.
In the AGL, they last tasted defeat to eventual champions Al Jazira on January 13 – 22 games ago. This means the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s record in the professional era of 28 top-flight fixtures without losing is within their sights.