Round 18 of the 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
In the absence of spectators across the country because of measures to limit the impact of coronavirus, Rodolfo Arruabarrena made way at pacesetters Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club after a brace from ex-Spain striker Alvaro Negredo secured a 2-2 draw for Al Nasr.
Prolific Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba moved onto 18 goals with the clinching penalty as Al Ain came from behind to defeat bottom-placed Fujairah 2-1 and a double from UAE predator Ali Mabkhout earned a 2-1 win for Al Jazira at lowly Ittihad Kalba.
Khor Fakkan began life back at Saqr bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium with an encouraging 2-1 victory against Bani Yas, new UAE citizen Fabio De Lima clinched a 2-1 triumph for Al Wasl versus in-form Al Dhafra and champions Sharjah required a late own goal from Daniel Amora in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Hatta. Meanwhile, Gaspar’s sharp finish proved the difference when Al Wahda inflicted a 1-0 reversal on Ajman.
Here are Sport360°’s top picks and a talking point:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Samuel Rosa (Hatta)
No goals, no assists and not even a win.
Yet, selfless striker Rosa was magnificent in the frustrating 1-1 draw at champions Sharjah.
The Brazilian – back on loan at the Tornado, following an earlier stint from 2016-18 – led the line with aplomb, providing a constant nuisance and extending precious spells of possession for relegation-threatened employers. He was also the first line of defence from corners, repelling any balls that flew towards the near post.
Rosa did not deserve the fate that befell his team after Mahir Jasem’s reckless head butt and forlorn team-mate Daniel Amora’s crucial deflection from a late Luan cross.
Samuel Rosa (Twitter/@SharjahFC).
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Gaspar (Al Wahda)
A winner against Ajman that made light of the tropes that surround Sebastian Tagliabue.
Disparaging remarks about a lack of mobility from the veteran UAE citizen and absence of a rounded game were rendered void in one move. The record-breaking, 34-year-old striker burst down his channel, neatly evading the attentions of two defenders and laying on an inviting low centre for ex-Spain Under-19 winger Gaspar to sweep home.
Evergreen is the word that springs to mind.
Gaspar (UAE Pro League).
COACH OF THE WEEK
Goran Tufegdzic (Khor Fakkan)
Khor Fakkan have found themselves in exclusive company.
Thursday’s 2-1 victory against Bani Yas not only provided a welcome first top-flight outing at their redeveloped Saqr bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium. It also witnessed them become one of only two clubs (Al Ain) in the last five matches to go undefeated, plus only Al Ain and Wahda have taken more points.
A torrid campaign for the promoted side now holds real promise of a great escape.
Goran Tufegdzic (Twitter/@KhorFakkanfc).
TALKING POINT
Trying to make sense of Shabab Al Ahli sacking
How can you make sense of the call by league leaders to dispense with their coach?
Especially when Rodolfo Arruabarrena won two trophies last term, had recorded the most 2019/20 AGL victories and boasted – by some difference – the meanest defence?
An appropriate answer is multifaceted; Arruabarrena is, unquestionably, paying the price for earlier overachievement with a foreign quartet of questionable worth. Only Deportivo La Coruna loanee Fede Cartabia and the maverick Leonardo have met expectations.
But the trend since match-week 14 inexorably, pointed towards a slender Al Ain title success.
Shabab Al Ahli have averaged 1.9 points per game since then, leaving them with a finishing total of 55. Al Ain are on 2.6 points per game, pushing them onto a superior 58.
When opening defeats in both 2020 AFC Champions League group-stage games – a fate also shared by Al Ain – and quarter-final exit to Bani Yas in the Presidents’ Cup are factored in, mitigation is found. Slender as it is.