AGL Week 2 in Review: Luis Jimenez excels for Al Nasr, Ryan Babel’s Al Ain struggles continue

Ryan Babel is yet to capture his best form since arriving at Al Ain in the summer. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

With Week 2 of the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League in the books, we take a look at the results and talking points from the latest round.

THE RESULTS

Baniyas 3-0 Dibba

Opening examinations against the division’s two promoted sides represented a comfortable introduction to the new season, but Baniyas have still needed to perform. Just like their victory at Al Shaab, summer signings Ishak Belfodil and Joaquin Larrivey stole the headlines, scoring all three between them. Belfodil, highly regarded by coach Luis Garcia, was the standout, grabbing a first-half double.

Al Dhafra 1-3 Al Nasr

Last season’s cup specialists have carried that form into the early stages of this league campaign. After winning the President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup last term, Nasr remodelled their foreign contingent, picking up other club’s cast-offs. Luis Jimenez, Jonathan Pitroipa and Jires Kembo Ekoko all excelled at Al Dhafra this weekend, with Jimenez scoring twice to take his tally to four goals in two matches. Kembo created the other, when his low cross was deflected into his own goal by Khalil Abdulla. Makhete Diop scored for the hosts from the penalty spot.

Fujairah 3-0 Al Shaab

Resoundingly beaten 8-1 by Al Ahli in the opening round, Fujairah responded brilliantly with a convincing victory of their own. They had a slice of luck, though, when Fahad Sabil sliced Patrick Eze’s effort into his own goal. Shaab were never really in the match thereafter, with captain Madjid Bougherra doubling Fujairah’s lead shortly after half time and Eze then rounding off the win. Shaab have yet to register a point.

Sharjah 1-2 Al Jazira

Big-spending Al Jazira did not enjoy the best start to their title bid, losing 2-1 at home to Al Wasl last month. However, they got off the mark against Sharjah on Sunday, with new recruit Jefferson Farfan opening the scoring just before half time. By then, Sharjah had twice hit the woodwork. Ahmed Al Attas doubled the visitors’ lead with a header on 73 minutes, only for Maicosuel to half the deficit eight minutes later direct from a set piece.

Al Wahda 0-1 Al Shabab

Much was made of Al Wahda debutant Jorge Valdivia pre-match, but the Chilean’s new teammates did little to help make it a successful first outing. An ill-tempered match will be remembered as much for Shabab’s reduction to nine men — Henrique Luvannor and Hassan Ibrahim were sent off — as for Jo’s winner. The Brazilian, perhaps the summer’s most surprising import, scored a header four minutes after half-time — his first league goal.

Al Wasl 0-2 Al Ain

The defending champions may look considerably different to last season in personnel, but the performances thus far have been just as promising. New signing Emmanuel Emenike was the match-winner, scoring twice in the second half to secure the points. Ably supported by Omar Abdulrahman, the Nigerian’s first was a tap-in, yet his second was an unstoppable long-range shot from the edge of the area. With four goals in three matches, Asamoah Gyan’s replacement seems unaffected by the pressure of following on from his lofty predecessor.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Omar Abdulrahman

Difficult not to name-check Emenike, but his talented Al Ain teammate was the real star against Al Wasl. Abdulrahman ran the game at the Zabeel Stadium with his passing and poise, continuing his fine start to the season for club and country.

Ishak Belfodil

Signed this summer on a free transfer, this could represent the AGL’s best bit of business. Belfodil, formerly of Parma, has impressed everyone at Baniyas in his short time there. A double against Dibba made it three league goals in two matches.

Luis Jimenez

Deemed surplus to requirements at Al Ahli, Jimenez made the small trip across Dubai this summer. In joining Al Nasr, he was expected primarily to add experience, but the goals have flowed. Two against Dhafra on Saturday followed on from his double on the opening day.

MAIN TALKING POINTS

Roughing up Valdivia

Jorge Valdivia's return to UAE has been well celebrated, but the Al Shabab players were not in a very welcoming mood. The former Al Ain playmaker was on the end of some particularly brutal treatment, limiting his impact on the game. A leading light past and present, Valdivia will have to work out how to overcome that. Other sides will no doubt mirror Shabab's tactics.

Babel’s struggles at Al Ain

Ryan Babel’s initial few months at Al Ain have not gone exactly according to plan. The former Liverpool and Dutch international forward, signed from Turkey’s Kasimpasa in July, has created unwanted headlines after an altercation with a female football fan on Twitter, and has felt the ire of Al Ain’s supporters on social media, too. His display against Al Wasl — he missed two golden opportunities and his passing was wayward — will not help.

New boys get tough welcome

Al Shaab and Dibba Al Fujairah were always expected to find life difficult in the top tier, and so it has transpired. The newly promoted sides have suffered two league defeats each thus far, with neither scoring a goal. It is early days, but they currently prop up the table. It is set to be a long season ahead.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“He is the best player in the league — one pass and we score a goal. He is in good form, but he can do even better. I must push him and support him.”

- Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic on Omar Abdulrahman after the midfielder’s fine performance at Al Wasl.

STAT OF THE WEEK

9 — Al Shabab had two men sent off against Al Wahda — Henrique Luvannor and Hassan Ibrahim, both for second bookings — and had to eke out the final throes of the match with nine men. Caio Junior will want to make sure there is no more indiscipline in future. Shabab have one of the smaller squads in the league, so they can ill afford to lose guys, especially key ones, cheaply.

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