Round 2 of the 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays.
Brazilian playmaker Igor Coronado was at the heart of things when Sharjah kept up their 100-per-cent start away at floundering Ittihad Kalba, while Ivan Leko’s Al Ain struck three times, once again, in their emphatic win at Al Wasl. There was also an early goal-of-the-season contender from UAE midfielder Amer Abdulrahman in Al Jazira’s 3-2 derby loss at Al Wahda.
Here are Sport360°’s top picks and a talking point:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – IGOR CORONADO (SHARJAH)
(Twitter/@SharjahFC).
Some footballers operate on a different plane.
Coronado ran 30 yards, straight through a stacked Ittihad Kalba defence, to tee up Ricardo Gomes’ opener in a 3-1 win. This was a third assist in two AGL games.
Then came a thunderous 25-yard free-kick to send champions Sharjah on their way.
GOAL OF THE WEEK – AMER ABDULRAHMAN (AL JAZIRA)
(UAE Pro League).
It is a crime that a goal of this undeniable quality was rendered utterly inconsequential.
UAE midfielder Amer Abdulrahman produced one of the best volleys you’ll see this term, connecting perfectly with a looped clearance. Al Jazira, however, could not build on this staggering opener and lost 3-2 at Al Wahda.
COACH OF THE WEEK – IVAN LEKO (AL AIN)
(Al Ain).
After the chaos of the opening Kalba win, came the ominous control of the 3-1 victory at Al Wasl.
Al Ain had to fight back from going behind. But from there, Leko orchestrated a fine display.
His call to bring on goal-scorer Bandar Al Ahbabi was also inspired.
TALKING POINT
AMOORY’S WAITING GAME
Expectation levels are raised whenever Omar Abdulrahman is involved.
On the early evidence of 2019/20, however, these must be tempered.
Monday’s indifferent first start in almost a year after serious injury went without incident in the Arab Club Champions Cup. In Friday’s 3-2 derby defeat at Al Wahda, Al Jazira’s celebrated second-half substitute had just over 30 touches and did nothing with them.
We expect the world from Amoory. Now, what he most requires is patience.