The significance of recording Round 19 victories on Thursday night for Al Shabab and Al Jazira should not be underestimated.
Those are the clubs directly below Al Ahli, the season’s standout side, with the pair currently separated from the Arabian Gulf League’s top team by six and nine points, respectively.
It is obvious to state wins represent a necessity this evening – Jazira travel to Dubai club while Shabab make the trip to Ajman – but, with the division about to break for one month, they simply must hang tight to Ahli’s coattails
Shabab may be the greatest benefactors of the four-week hiatus.
By the time the league resumes on March 21, Ahli and Jazira will have each faced three Asian Champions League matches, with another trio of continental contests on the horizon.
While they become distracted by their duel quests, Shabab will feel top spot is ripe for the taking.
For Jazira, a triumph on Thursday is simply a must. Fail, and Ahli go into Friday’s home tie with Baniyas with additional vigour; a six-point cushion could conceivably climb to nine, with only seven league matches remaining.
Should they go into the break nine points adrift, Jazira have only themselves to blame. The Abu Dhabi club have been unable to register victory in their past two encounters – eminently winnable matches against Ajman and Al Dhafra – and should, in their minds at least, be nearer Ahli at the summit.
Round 19 certainly provides extra incentive.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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