How will Al Ahli respond?
Al Ahli departed the Tianhe Stadium on Saturday night understandably downcast. They had just lost the Asian Champions League final to Guangzhou Evergrande, one goal preventing them from being crowned the continent’s finest club team.
The players spoke about needing to regroup and respond domestically, to make sure their season does not peter out following the greatest of disappointments. After all, Al Ain reached the semi-final last year, then cruised to the Arabian Gulf League title. Ahli could do the same. The club have five victories from five to sit third in the table, but have three games in hand on Al Ain and Al Nasr above them.
They travel to neighbours Al Shabab on Thursday, who form a formidable first opponent after Asia. The effects, mental more than physical, of last Saturday could weigh heavily. Ahli will want to consign Guangzhou to the past.
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Are Al Nasr genuine title contenders?
Cup specialists last season, Al Nasr set sights this campaign on the league title. It seemed an audacious target, given the obvious talent and spending power of Al Ain, Ahli and Al Jazira, the division’s so-called “big three”.
Yet Nasr entertain Al Ain this week knowing victory will take them above the defending champions and to the summit. One point separates the top two sides, with Nasr seeking to build upon Sunday’s excellent, morale-boosting 3-2 triumph at Jazira. Nilmar, who had not scored in the league all season, even grabbed the winner.
Al Ain provide their next test, although the Garden City side should be extra motivated following the weekend’s 1-1 draw at Baniyas. It is a real test of Nasr’s championship credentials.
Can Al Jazira turn their form around?
It has been wholly unexpected, barely fathomable. Jazira began the season as one of the favourites for the title, having recruited a batch of talented foreigners and brought back Abel Braga as manager.
However, Sunday’s home defeat stretched their run to nine matches without a victory. They last won a game in any competition 10 weeks ago. They sit 10th in the league. What’s more, Mirko Vucinic, last season’s top scorer, is out for the season.
Next up is only a trip to Ahli on Monday, what better way to reignite their campaign, eh? It is probably not what the doctor ordered, but the Dubai club have two assignments in four days, so Jazira will hope to catch them on the hop. They need to reverse their form, and fast.
Will Sharjah jolt into life?
Paulo Bonamigo’s reign had initially promised so much, but ended on Monday with Sharjah second bottom in the table. The Brazilian, who in his first season guided the club to seventh, struggled to build upon that in 2014/15, with Sharjah finishing one place above the relegation zone.
This campaign has not been any better: they have one victory in the league from eight matches; one in the Arabian Gulf Cup from five. Something needed to change.
Sharjah will therefore hope fresh eyes will help to freshen a stagnant team, to draw a response from the players ahead of a taxing trip to the Western Region on Saturday.
Al Dhafra host them, having only recently secured a first win of the season, albeit an excellent victory against Baniyas. That matters little to Sharjah, though. Their season must start now.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
