AGL talking points: Can Zenga save Al Shaab and what impact can Ten Cate have at Jazira?

Walter Zenga coach of Al Jazira reacts during the Arabian Gulf League match between Al Ain Football Club and Al Jazira Football Club at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on May 1, 2014 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty ImagesShow less

Ahead of the latest round of games, Amith Passela looks at the main talking points in the Arabian Gulf League.

How will Asprilla fit in?

With the mid-season transfer window open, Al Ain have wasted no time in bringing in a new face.

They have signed the Colombian striker Danilo Asprilla to replace Ryan Babel, their underperforming former Liverpool forward.

Babel’s departure seemed inevitable considering the Dutchman had featured in only eight of Al Ain’s 13 AGL games so far and had few off-field controversies. Manager Zlatko Dalic made no secret about Babel not being part of his plans in the second half of the season.

Asprilla is a bit of an unknown quantity but he scored a goal every two games for Bulgaria’s Litex Lovech last season and looks to be a chance worth taking.

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What impact will Ten Cate have on Jazira?

Al Jazira’s title chances are already over.

The Abu Dhabi club are in 10th place and 20 points behind leaders Al Ain, the worst position they have been in since winning the league title in 2011.

New manager Henk ten Cate takes charge of his first game when they travel to Al Wasl on Friday.

Jazira were previously fairly stable, with Abel Braga in charge from 2008 to 2011, but that has changed in recent years.

Ten Cate is their ninth manager in four-and-a-half seasons. He replaced Braga who was sacked last month, half a season into his second spell at the club.

Jazira also look like they may change all their foreign players in the current transfer window, having also done so in the summer.

It leaves Ten Cate with a tough job on his hands: stamping his style on a squad of players who have seen plenty like him come and go in recent years.

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Can Zenga keep Shaab up?

Walter Zenga has handled many challenges as a player and coach, but his task as the manager of Al Shaab will be one of his toughest yet, which is to save them from relegation.

Shaab start the second half of the league on two points, nine behind thesecond-bottom club Sharjah, and 10 points from safety.

They travel to Baniyas on Saturday before matches against Fujairah, Emirates, and Al Dhafra. The last two teams are also struggling and it is a big chance for Shaab to claw back some points.

However, if they emerge from this run of games without having registered at least a win, it will be almost impossible for them to stay up.

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