THE RESULTS
Dibba 1-2 Al Nasr
An early set-back did not knock Nasr off their stride, as the Dubai club came back to take the points and maintain their promising start to the season. The evergreen Boris Kabi opened the scoring at the Fujairah Stadium on two minutes, but Salem Salah levelled for Nasr shortly after half-time. Jires Kembo Ekoko grabbed the winner, though, only his second goal since his summer move from Al Ain. Nasr stay second.
Sharjah 2-0 Al Shaab
The Arabian Gulf League does not do bloopers DVDs, but if it did, Shaab’s Celio dos Santos would be an unfortunate inclusion. The defender chose the Sharjah derby to make his mark, slicing a cross into his own net to gift the home side the lead. Sharjah saw off the match courtesy of Muhain Khalifa’s superb strike. Subsequently, it secured their first victory, while bottom club Shaab wait still.
Al Shabab 1-4 Al Ain
The champions got off the a fantastic start when Omar Abdulrahman scored after two minutes, although both sides exchanged plenty of chances before the clock climbed to double figures. Fellipe Bastos’s free kick doubled Al Ain’s advantage on 17 minutes. Yet Shabab, previously undefeated, struck back through Jo’s tidy finish seven minutes from half-time. Al Ain, though, were awarded a penalty just before the break, with Emmanuel Emenike slotting it home. In the second half, Bastos got another, sealing the win. Al Ain sit top.
Al Wasl 5-1 Fujairah
Finally, Wasl recorded a victory at home. And finally, Edgar Bruno and Caio Canedo got on the score sheet. After a goalless first-half, the hosts ran riot, taking the lead on 46 minutes through Caio. Fabio Lima and Bruno then took it in turns to each register a double, while Khalid Khameis’s 59th-minute goal for Fujairah was somewhat lost in the rout. The visitors returned from Dubai with another heavy defeat.
Al Dhafra 2-3 Emirates
Five goals in a frantic first-half told the story of this match, which ended with Emirates heading back to Ras Al Khaimah with the spoils. Two goals from Waleed Ambar and a goal from Haitham Ali clinched it, despite Dhafra attempting to fight back with efforts from David Barral and Makhete Diop. Emirates even had goalkeeper Ahmed Al Shaji sent off in injury-time. Dhafra remain winless.
Baniyas 2-2 Al Jazira
Jazira’s early season woes seemed set to be confined to the past with a fine first-half spell at Baniyas. First, Park Jong-woo opened the scoring, then Mirko Vucinic, last season’s top scorer, ended his mini drought to double their lead. But Baniyas bounced back after the break with goals from Ishak Belfodil and Joaquin Larrivey to share the points.
Al Wahda 1-3 Al Ahli
Five days after an energy-sapping semi-final victory in the Asian Champions League, Ahli had to refocus for a tricky trip to Al Wahda. Physically, that should be viewed as enough time to recover, but the mental toll of that dramatic win threatened to affect their 100 per cent start to the league. Ahli, though, responded with two goals from Everton Ribeiro and one from Rodrigo Lima – his 13th in 11 matches. Jorge Valdivia grabbed a consolation for the hosts, but it was just that.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Fellipe Bastos
A summer signing from Vasco da Gama, the Brazilian has taken time to win over the demanding Al Ain support. However, he did just that against Al Shabab on Friday, scoring two goals: one, an expert free kick; the other, a fine solo strike. Set to only get better.
Edgar Bruno
Another new recruit, the Al Wasl striker had struggled to find his goalscoring touch following his transfer from Al Shabab, causing Coach Gabriel Calderon to continually defended his target man. Yet Bruno sprung to life on Saturday, notching two as Wasl cast aside Fujairah. Teammate Fabio Lima was excellent, too.
Everton Ribeiro
The Brazilian’s talent has never been in doubt, but he is beginning to rival Omar Abdulrahman as the league’s finest playmaker. Ribeiro created a goal and scored two in Al Ahli’s victory at Wahda, yet it was his all-round play that sparkled. Potentially, this could be Ribeiro’s season.
MAIN TALKING POINTS
Al Ain strike ominous note
Understandably, in recent weeks much of the limelight has shone on Al Ahli, Al Ain’s old adversaries. So last year’s standout team promptly contributed their best performance of the season to dismantle Al Shabab. Al Ain looked in rude health, with Fellipe Bastos and Omar Abdulrahman suggesting they have quickly moved onto the same wavelength. This was a timely reminder of the champions’ prowess.
Al Ahli look like 2013/14 vintage
Cosmin Olaroiu complained, but it mattered little. Against Al Wahda, Ahli showed no hangover from their Champions League exploits to maintain their 100 per cent start. Champions two seasons ago, they surrendered meekly their title last year. However, Ahli have corrected their problems in attack and, spurred by Rodrigo Lima’s goals, have rediscovered their mojo.
Early favourites for the crown.
Pressure building on Braga
Another week, another problem for Abel Braga. The Al Jazira coach has endured a torrid return to the club, and his troubles continued with the 2-2 draw at Baniyas. On the surface, not a bad result, but the visitors let slip a two-goal lead. In eight matches thus far, Jazira have registered two victories. A poor return for supposed title contenders.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Sometimes everyone says they’re with you, everyone supports you, but it’s only just in the media, because when you need help nobody helps you.” – Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu rails against Al Wahda following the Abu Dhabi club’s decision not to postpone their match by 24 hours. Ahli had competed in the Asian Champions League semi-finals five days before.
STAT OF THE WEEK
0 – The number of victories achieved by Al Dhafra and Al Shaab in 12 attempts between them this season. Even at this early stage, the table’s bottom two clubs appear to be in serious trouble.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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