The focus for Round 17 of the Arabian Gulf League once again falls on the top two, with league leaders Al Ain and second-placed Al Ahli still comfortably clear at the top despite setbacks last time out.
Ahli failed to take advantage of Al Ain’s shock defeat at Sharjah in the last round when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Al Dhafra.
On Friday Al Ain host Al Wahda at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium with Ahli at home to fourth-placed Al Wasl. The title race still looks a duel between the top two, although another setback could bring Al Nasr in third and Wasl back into the frame.
Al Ain will face an Al Wahda side minus their star playmaker Jorge Valdivia and captain Ismail Matar, with both serving one-match bans for accumulating three yellow cards.
Read more: Al Ahli v Al Wasl and five must-see football matches this weekend
Sharjah’s faith in Emirati coach rewarded
The faith shown by the Sharjah board in their caretaker Emirati coach Abdulaziz Al Anbari is paying off.
Their stunning 3-2 win over Al Ain last time out was the standout result under Al Anbari. It took Sharjah’s tally to 18 points to lift them up to 10th in the AGL table, four points clear of the relegation spots.
That Al Ain result came on the back of the 2-1 triumph over Al Shabab and a 1-1 draw against Al Jazira, taking Al Anbari’s record to four wins, two draws and two defeats since replacing the Brazilian Paulo Bonamigo in late November.
When asked if he will continue in the job for the remainder of the season, Al Anbari said: “I am happy to do the job as long as the management wants me and as long as the team is benefiting. I’m also not after any position but just happy to carry on with the task that I have been entrusted.”
Read more: From Al Ain to London, Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike signs for West Ham on loan
Dibba coach says no let up in quest for survival
Dibba could be forgiven for thinking they were safe from relegation in eight spot on 21 points.
Theodore Bucker, the Dibba coach, has so far done an admirable job, and saw his team overcome Al Shabab 2-0 at home last week, but insisted they were still not safe from the drop zone yet.
“We are in this position because of the hard work,” said the German. “Our preparations for each game are not limited to training only; we always sit down with the players and take into account all technical and psychological aspects.
“We all realise that we are not yet safe, and we have to stay focused and continue fighting for every point.”
Dibba travel to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday to face Al Jazira.
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AUSTRALIA%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EPat%20Cummins%20(capt)%2C%20Scott%20Boland%2C%20Alex%20Carey%2C%20Cameron%20Green%2C%20Marcus%20Harris%2C%20Josh%20Hazlewood%2C%20Travis%20Head%2C%20Josh%20Inglis%2C%20Usman%20Khawaja%2C%20Marnus%20Labuschagne%2C%20Nathan%20Lyon%2C%20Mitchell%20Marsh%2C%20Todd%20Murphy%2C%20Matthew%20Renshaw%2C%20Steve%20Smith%2C%20Mitchell%20Starc%2C%20David%20Warner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
