Last-minute makeovers

Transfer deadline day was typically fraught, with a couple of eye-catching deals late on Thursday.

Three clubs in particular were busy into the final few hours, and beyond, with Al Ahli, Al Wasl and Baniyas all interconnected.

Carlos Munoz joined the champions in a move reportedly worth up to Dh40 million, with Saeed Suroor heading to Baniyas in part exchange. Wasl, meanwhile, took Hugo Viana from Ahli and sent Mohammed Nasser to Baniyas.

It will be interesting to see how each fares, although Munoz carries the most intrigue. The Chilean must go some way to showing that he can be a replacement for Ciel tonight against ­Fujairah.

Victory a must for Al Wasl

The start has been inauspicious for all concerned. A summer of substantial change has led to one constant: Wasl have failed to win in their four opening matches.

However, they have faced Al Ain, Al Ahli and Al Nasr, three sides expected to contest the top four this season. Today’s hosting of Kalba offers a genuine chance to get off the mark, as the newly promoted club is the only team sitting below Wasl in the table. These are early days in Jorginho’s reign at the Zabeel Stadium, but anything less than three points today simply will not do.

Al Ain’s Asian hangover

To a certain extent, they have been here before. Two weeks ago, following a humbling against Al Hilal in the Asian Champions League semi-final first leg, Al Ain responded with a 2-0 victory against Al Wasl.

Now, with their continental dream buried, they must react in similar fashion.

They could have hoped for a less taxing task than a trip to Al Jazira, especially with striker Asamoah Gyan suspended. Yet perhaps this test, a glamour game against a title rival, is what Al Ain need.

They have to prove they can shift focus to regaining the domestic title. This is a huge examination of those credentials.

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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