John McAuley previews the latest round of Arabian Gulf League fixtures, the defensive issues that once again threaten Al Jazira, and the return to UAE football of Jorge Valdivia.
Capital club need to respond
A summer of significant spending justifiably raised expectations at Al Jazira.
In replacing Manuel Lanzini, Jonathan Pitroipa and Jucilei with Thiago Neves, Park Jong-woo and Jefferson Farfan – all considerable upgrades – the last season’s runners-up seemed set to be this campaign’s front-runners.
Top scorer Mirko Vucinic remained and Abel Braga, their title-winning coach from 2011, returned.
However, an opening-day home loss to Al Wasl suggested the problems that blighted their 2014/15 run still existed.
Jazira were the division’s most prolific side last season, yet they conceded more goals than everyone bar the two relegated clubs.
They have targeted local reinforcements before the transfer window shuts on September 21, but Jazira need a victory in the bag by then.
An accommodating Sharjah could grant their wish.
‘The Magician’ returns
He has finally arrived. After a five-year absence and last summer’s debacle with Fujairah, Jorge Valdivia is set to strut his stuff once again in the UAE top flight.
The Chilean, nicknamed “El Mago” (the Magician), became one of the league’s leading lights during his two-season spell at Al Ain between 2008 and 2010. After courting Fujairah 12 months ago, he is now at Al Wahda.
Contractual obligations with Palmeiras and a star turn at the Copa America delayed Valdivia’s debut, but he is expected to line up against Al Shabab tomorrow. It promises to be a cracker.
At 31, Valdivia may be older than his Al Ain vintage, yet in helping Chile to win the Copa America he proved he still has the ability to dictate matches.
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Big boots of Gyan to fill
Asamoah Gyan’s departure from Al Ain in July was as surprising as it was swift. The Ghanaian had scored 95 goals in 83 league matches, won three Golden Boots and three league titles.
Then he transferred to China’s Shanghai SIPG, with Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike taking his place on a season-long loan from Fenerbahce.
Upon his arrival, Emenike said succeeding Gyan did not concern him, and so it appeared when he scored twice in last month’s Super Cup win against Al Nasr. Emenike missed the league opener against Al Dhafra through injury but should return for tomorrow’s test at Al Wasl.
Facing one of the division’s up-and-coming sides, he needs to be on his game. For comparison’s sake, Gyan scored three times against Wasl in his debut season. No pressure.
Are Fujairah cut above?
An 8-1 thumping on the opening day was a humiliating start to the campaign. Against a rampant Al Ahli, Fujairah crumbled.
Their ambitions to improve on last season’s return to the top flight looked a little foolhardy.
Ninth in 2014/15 but with a season’s experience behind them, Fujairah had targeted a top-six finish. However, Ivan Hasek’s side responded well in the Arabian Gulf Cup, holding Al Wahda to a 3-3 draw and then defeating Sharjah 3-1 last week. The turnaround has been admirable.
Fujairah entertain Al Shaab today and should kickstart their league campaign.
In doing so, it could be an early marker that they have separated themselves from the bottom few clubs. Maybe a top-half finish is attainable after all.
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