A glaring hole is being filled in the Arabian Gulf League.
Omar Abdulrahman’s defection last month from Al Ain to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal threatened to take the glean off the competition.
Instead, a number of attackers are carrying the creative burden in his absence. Here are Sport360°’s picks from the opening three rounds in 2018/19.
CAIO (AL AIN)
Appearances: Three
Goals: Two
Assists: One
Minutes per goal or assist: 86
The Brazilian forward slipped into reverse for 2017/18’s sophomore season in the Garden City.
This downwards trend has been ended in notable fashion. Goals at Emirates Club and Al Nasr point to his acceptance of responsibility on the road.
IGOR CORONADO (SHARJAH)
Appearances: Three
Goals: Three
Assists: Three
Minutes per goal or assist: 45
At €6 million (Dh25.9m), the move to draft in the Brazilian playmaker from Serie B’s Palermo was one of the summer’s costliest ventures.
Already, this deal looks a bargain. Coronado has notched once in each game, is exhibiting a productive understanding with Cape Verde winger Ryan Mendes and compatriot Welliton. His free-kick against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club was utterly stupendous, too.
LEONARDO (AL WAHDA)
Appearances: Three
Goals: One
Assists: Three
Minutes per goal or assist: 60.8
The Clarets required a step-up in class to truly challenge champions Al Ain this term.
In ex-Al Ahli Jeddah forward Leonardo, they appear to have found it. This was particularly apparent in Friday’s spiky meeting with Al Wasl.
His dart and incisive throughball for Argentine striker Sebastian Tagliabue got the ball rolling on a resounding 4-1 triumph.
RYAN MENDES (SHARJAH)
Appearances: Three
Goals: Four
Assists: One
Minutes per goal or assist: 54
A journeyman appears to have found his home in Sharjah.
The King are the forward’s fourth team since the start of 2015/16. He’s played a key role in the club’s best start in a generation.
His sharp brace in the season-opener at Al Dhafra pointed towards a change of fortunes for a fallen giant of UAE football.
KHALFAN MUBARAK (AL JAZIRA)
Appearances: Three
Goals: One
Assists: Five
Minutes per goal or assist: 45
The obvious successor to Amoory at international level has not been without his teething problems.
After the highs of 2016/17’s title assault, last term was a relative disappointment. A tally of two assists and a goal in the opening 5-4 victory at Shabab Al Ahli pointed to better times.
Remarkably, a hat-trick of assists then followed in a 3-2 beating of promoted Fujairah.
HUSSEIN EL SHAHAT (AL AIN)
Appearances: Three
Goals: One
Assists: Three
Minutes per goal or assist: 67.5
El Shahat was a glorious addition to the AGL when drafted in halfway through last term’s charge to a historic club-first top-flight and President’s Cup double.
The Egypt midfielder’s impact has remained pronounced when not missing a minute of 2018/19 action. Last month’s 3-1 dismantling of Emirates stands as the highlight; two assists and a goal were registered then.