As the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League concludes on Sunday, John McAuley looks at the main talking points ahead of Round 26.
Cosmin’s curtain call
The past week has cast doubt on Cosmin Olaroiu's future at Al Ahli, with the Romanian on Friday only fanning the flames of an exit. Olaroiu began his media briefing detailing how he wants Sunday's match against Al Shaab – Ahli's last of a title-winning campaign – to be a celebration of their championship triumph, but his position has cast a long shadow. Will this be Olaroiu's last league fixture at the Rashid Stadium? Increasingly, it seems that way, although at the same time it could be little more than an attempt to gain more leverage. Either way, the Ahli supporters will be sure to offer their support, both for the team and their coach. Hosting bottom club Shaab, and finally getting their hands on the league trophy, Ahli should go out with a bang. Is Olaroiu, too?
Race for third
That the battle for the title was decided last week does not mean there is little at stake on Sunday. Incredibly, four teams remain in the hunt for the coveted third spot, featuring those positioned in places three to six: Al Wahda, Al Wasl, Al Nasr and Al Shabab. It looks like Wahda's to lose. Sitting third, they host an inconsistent Baniyas and need only a draw to rule out Nasr and Shabab – a point they should glean. However, fourth-placed Wasl travel to Shabab knowing victory is a must, together with a favour from Baniyas. The permutations are plenty, but Wahda remain in the box seat: defeat Baniyas and they look set to also qualify for next year's Asian Champions League. It will make for an intriguing final day.
Battle at the bottom
Much like what is happening at the table's upper reaches, the scrap at the other end provides a real storyline going into Sunday. Shaab are already down, and have been for some time, but the final relegation place is a fight involving four clubs. Ranked 10 to 13, Dibba, Sharjah, Emirates and Fujairah are still scrapping for survival, with only two points separating them. There are therefore a number of different scenarios. For instance, Dibba and Sharjah play each other, but should the visitors triumph, and Fujairah win at Al Nasr and Emirates at Al Ain, then 10th-placed Dibba go down. It demands a highly unlikely set of results, but it conveys the drama that could yet unfold. It promises to be a nail-biting conclusion.
Shootout for Golden Boot
Sebastian Tagliabue had led the scoring charts for much of the season, scoring 24 goals for Al Wahda – a tally that could swell at home to Baniyas on Sunday. However, Ali Mabkhout's hat-trick last time out has lifted the Al Jazira forward to within two, and many will hope he gets the goals against Al Dhafra to trump Tagliabue. That is nothing against Wahda's top marksman, but a nod to Mabkhout's remarkable achievement: in the professional era, no Emirati has finished top scorer in a race usually dominated by foreign players. Mabkhout's coronation would therefore be all the more impressive, and prove that expensive imports do not always represent the answer. No matter what transpires Sunday, Mabkhout is a great example for placing faith in home-grown players.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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