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.
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