Match-week six of the 2020\/21 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
\nSharjah\u2019s grip on the nascent title fight strengthened after the international break in Friday\u2019s heated summit clash against Al Nasr. A penalty double from Brazilian playmaker Igor Coronado was enough to secure the King\u2019s 2-1 triumph, maintaining their hold on top spot and the division\u2019s only 100-per-cent record.
\nThere were goals galore, meanwhile, on Saturday when UAE marksman Ali Mabkhout\u2019s double helped Al Jazira to a rousing 5-3 victory at stuttering 2019\/20 pacesetters Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club. Al Wahda roared into second spot with a 3-0 triumph versus 10-man Ajman, inspired by UAE Under-23 winger Yahya Al Ghassani.
\nNot even UFC superstar Conor McGregor\u2019s surprise support could get over the hurt for sinking Al Wasl, who saw Salem Al Azizi sent off, when Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba\u2019s second-half penalty earned a 2-1 win for improving Al Ain. Fujairah shot away from the relegation zone with a consequential 1-0 success versus bottom-placed Hatta, Bani Yas\u2019 sharp slide extended thanks to Chile forward Junior Fernandes\u2019 brace in Ittihad Kalba\u2019s 2-0 away victory and Al Dhafra snapped a three-match losing run in all competitions with the same scoreline against 13th-placed Khor Fakkan.
\nHere are\u00a0Sport360\u00b0\u2019s\u00a0top picks and a talking point:
\nPLAYER OF THE WEEK
\nIgor Coronado (Sharjah)
\n(UAE Pro League).
\nThere can be no question about the identity of the AGL\u2019s most-decisive player.
\nCoronado stepped up twice versus then second-placed Nasr from 12 yards and successfully converted to send Sharjah on their way to a sixth-successive win. The ex-Palermo creator used the same vehicle to dispatch Jazira before the international stoppage, while he\u2019s only failed to notch in one league game this term.
\nHe, truly, is the Middle East\u2019s equivalent to Manchester United and Portugal superstar Bruno Fernandes. From the same flying spot-kick method, to his perfect technique and invaluable ability to influence proceedings.
\nGOAL OF THE WEEK
\nAbdullah Ramadan (Al Jazira)
\n#\u0627\u0644\u062c\u0632\u064a\u0631\u0629 \u0648\u0645\u062a\u0639\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0643\u0631\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u062c\u0645\u0627\u0639\u064a\u0629..#\u0639\u0628\u062f\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647_\u0631\u0645\u0636\u0627\u0646 \u064a\u0633\u062c\u0644 \u0627\u0644\u0647\u062f\u0641 \u0627\u0644\u062b\u0627\u0644\u062b \u0628\u0639\u062f \u0645\u062c\u0645\u0648\u0639\u0629 \u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0645\u0631\u064a\u0631\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u0642\u0646\u0629#\u0634\u0628\u0627\u0628_\u0627\u0644\u0623\u0647\u0644\u064a_\u0627\u0644\u062c\u0632\u064a\u0631\u0629 #\u062f\u0648\u0631\u064a_\u0627\u0644\u062e\u0644\u064a\u062c_\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a #\u0623\u0628\u0648\u0638\u0628\u064a_\u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u0627\u0636\u064a\u0629 1 pic.twitter.com\/5hPKkWwmM8— \u0642\u0646\u0627\u0629 \u0623\u0628\u0648\u0638\u0628\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u0627\u0636\u064a\u0629 (@ADSportsTV) November 21, 2020
\nA goal which exemplified everything Marcel Keizer\u2019s Ajax-infused Pride of Abu Dhabi are about.
\nThe 17-pass move was started by the spritely UAE centre midfielder within his own half and finished by him with an accurate low finish into the bottom left corner of the stranded Majed Nasser\u2019s goal. This was a football concert, each constituent part perfectly calibrated and each pass incisively chosen.
\n\u201cWe faced some criticism having too much possession with little outcome. Case closed tonight,\u201d was the succinct description supplied by director of football Mads Davidsen after a fine result which sent his club fourth. When refined Jazira play with this purpose, no-one can lay a glove on them.
\nCOACH OF THE WEEK
\nGoran Tufegdzic (Fujairah)
\n? Footage from the team's training. ?\ufe0f\u200d\u2642\ufe0f #Fujairah | #ArabGulfLeague pic.twitter.com\/VgXuzn0HAP— FUJFC_EN (@FujfcE) November 16, 2020
\nA sense of foreboding tailed the fixture.
\nMere goal difference kept the Wolves outside the drop zone, while opponents Hatta were propping up the entire 14-team division. It would be Friday\u2019s hosts who\u2019d edge a competitive affair, goalkeeper Mohammed Waleed\u2019s spill being gratefully received by ES Sahel loanee Firas Ben Larbi.
\nTufegdzic\u2019s side boasted 80 more passes than \u2013 usually \u2013 possession heavy Hatta and two more attempts on target. This would be enough to record a first win of a campaign in which results have not always matched performances, while a grimmer fate awaited opposite number Christos Kontis\u2026
\nTALKING POINT
\nWill Kontis\u2019 exit create a ripple effect?
\nKontis\u2019 curious return to Hatta met a sorry end on the UAE\u2019s east coast.
\nThe rookie Greek coach moved aside in June and was convinced to comeback in July. But a dispiriting spell reached its nadir at Fujairah Stadium, with the axe coming down in the immediate aftermath and ex-Partizan Belgrade boss Vladimir Vermezovic drafted in as replacement.
\nHatta cannot be chastised for hitting the reset button \u2013 the laudable passing game Kontis installed in 2019\/20 has degenerated in 2020\/21. Recuperative action was required.
\nThe question now is what impact this call will have in the AGL\u2019s other boardrooms?
\nRipple effects are not uncommon. October 2019 featured six sackings once Ittihad Kalba dispensed with Fabio Viviani and a steady stream of managerial changes flowed from October 14-December 2 in 2018.
\nDecisions in the next few weeks could define the rest of 2020\/21 for a number of nervous outfits. Al Ain already appear validated for retaining Pedro Emanuel despite a worst start in 13 years, while there can be few realistic complaints about Hatta\u2019s alternative choice.
\nStick-or-twist time has arrived.
\nMATCH-WEEK SIX RESULTS
\nFriday
\nBani Yas 0-2 Ittihad Kalba
\nAl Wasl 1-2 Al Ain
\nFujairah 1-0 Hatta
\nSharjah 2-1 Al Nasr
\nSaturday
\nAl Wahda 3-0 Ajman
\nAl Dhafra 2-0 Khor Fakkan
\nShabab Al Ahli Dubai Club 3-5 Al Jazira<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Match-week six of the 2020\/21 Arabian Gulf League delivered several stellar displays, at both ends of the table.
\nSharjah\u2019s grip on the nascent title fight strengthened after the international break in Friday\u2019s heated summit clash against Al Nasr. A penalty double from Brazilian playmaker Igor Coronado was enough to secure the King\u2019s 2-1 triumph, maintaining their hold on top spot and the division\u2019s only 100-per-cent record.
\nThere were goals galore, meanwhile, on Saturday when UAE marksman Ali Mabkhout\u2019s double helped Al Jazira to a rousing 5-3 victory at stuttering 2019\/20 pacesetters Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club. Al Wahda roared into second spot with a 3-0 triumph versus 10-man Ajman, inspired by UAE Under-23 winger Yahya Al Ghassani.
\nNot even UFC superstar Conor McGregor\u2019s surprise support could get over the hurt for sinking Al Wasl, who saw Salem Al Azizi sent off, when Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba\u2019s second-half penalty earned a 2-1 win for improving Al Ain. Fujairah shot away from the relegation zone with a consequential 1-0 success versus bottom-placed Hatta, Bani Yas\u2019 sharp slide extended thanks to Chile forward Junior Fernandes\u2019 brace in Ittihad Kalba\u2019s 2-0 away victory and Al Dhafra snapped a three-match losing run in all competitions with the same scoreline against 13th-placed Khor Fakkan.
\nHere are\u00a0Sport360\u00b0\u2019s\u00a0top picks and a talking point:
\nPLAYER OF THE WEEK
\nIgor Coronado (Sharjah)
\n(UAE Pro League).
\nThere can be no question about the identity of the AGL\u2019s most-decisive player.
\nCoronado stepped up twice versus then second-placed Nasr from 12 yards and successfully converted to send Sharjah on their way to a sixth-successive win. The ex-Palermo creator used the same vehicle to dispatch Jazira before the international stoppage, while he\u2019s only failed to notch in one league game this term.
\nHe, truly, is the Middle East\u2019s equivalent to Manchester United and Portugal superstar Bruno Fernandes. From the same flying spot-kick method, to his perfect technique and invaluable ability to influence proceedings.
\nGOAL OF THE WEEK
\nAbdullah Ramadan (Al Jazira)
\n#\u0627\u0644\u062c\u0632\u064a\u0631\u0629 \u0648\u0645\u062a\u0639\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0643\u0631\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u062c\u0645\u0627\u0639\u064a\u0629..#\u0639\u0628\u062f\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647_\u0631\u0645\u0636\u0627\u0646 \u064a\u0633\u062c\u0644 \u0627\u0644\u0647\u062f\u0641 \u0627\u0644\u062b\u0627\u0644\u062b \u0628\u0639\u062f \u0645\u062c\u0645\u0648\u0639\u0629 \u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0645\u0631\u064a\u0631\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u0642\u0646\u0629#\u0634\u0628\u0627\u0628_\u0627\u0644\u0623\u0647\u0644\u064a_\u0627\u0644\u062c\u0632\u064a\u0631\u0629 #\u062f\u0648\u0631\u064a_\u0627\u0644\u062e\u0644\u064a\u062c_\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a #\u0623\u0628\u0648\u0638\u0628\u064a_\u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u0627\u0636\u064a\u0629 1 pic.twitter.com\/5hPKkWwmM8\u2014 \u0642\u0646\u0627\u0629 \u0623\u0628\u0648\u0638\u0628\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0631\u064a\u0627\u0636\u064a\u0629 (@ADSportsTV) November 21, 2020
\nA goal which exemplified everything Marcel Keizer\u2019s Ajax-infused Pride of Abu Dhabi are about.
\nThe 17-pass move was started by the spritely UAE centre midfielder within his own half and finished by him with an accurate low finish into the bottom left corner of the stranded Majed Nasser\u2019s goal. This was a football concert, each constituent part perfectly calibrated and each pass incisively chosen.
\n\u201cWe faced some criticism having too much possession with little outcome. Case closed tonight,\u201d was the succinct description supplied by director of football Mads Davidsen after a fine result which sent his club fourth. When refined Jazira play with this purpose, no-one can lay a glove on them.
\nCOACH OF THE WEEK
\nGoran Tufegdzic (Fujairah)
\n? Footage from the team's training. ?\ufe0f\u200d\u2642\ufe0f #Fujairah | #ArabGulfLeague pic.twitter.com\/VgXuzn0HAP\u2014 FUJFC_EN (@FujfcE) November 16, 2020
\nA sense of foreboding tailed the fixture.
\nMere goal difference kept the Wolves outside the drop zone, while opponents Hatta were propping up the entire 14-team division. It would be Friday\u2019s hosts who\u2019d edge a competitive affair, goalkeeper Mohammed Waleed\u2019s spill being gratefully received by ES Sahel loanee Firas Ben Larbi.
\nTufegdzic\u2019s side boasted 80 more passes than \u2013 usually \u2013 possession heavy Hatta and two more attempts on target. This would be enough to record a first win of a campaign in which results have not always matched performances, while a grimmer fate awaited opposite number Christos Kontis\u2026
\nTALKING POINT
\nWill Kontis\u2019 exit create a ripple effect?
\nKontis\u2019 curious return to Hatta met a sorry end on the UAE\u2019s east coast.
\nThe rookie Greek coach moved aside in June and was convinced to comeback in July. But a dispiriting spell reached its nadir at Fujairah Stadium, with the axe coming down in the immediate aftermath and ex-Partizan Belgrade boss Vladimir Vermezovic drafted in as replacement.
\nHatta cannot be chastised for hitting the reset button \u2013 the laudable passing game Kontis installed in 2019\/20 has degenerated in 2020\/21. Recuperative action was required.
\nThe question now is what impact this call will have in the AGL\u2019s other boardrooms?
\nRipple effects are not uncommon. October 2019 featured six sackings once Ittihad Kalba dispensed with Fabio Viviani and a steady stream of managerial changes flowed from October 14-December 2 in 2018.
\nDecisions in the next few weeks could define the rest of 2020\/21 for a number of nervous outfits. Al Ain already appear validated for retaining Pedro Emanuel despite a worst start in 13 years, while there can be few realistic complaints about Hatta\u2019s alternative choice.
\nStick-or-twist time has arrived.
\nMATCH-WEEK SIX RESULTS
\nFriday
\nBani Yas 0-2 Ittihad Kalba
\nAl Wasl 1-2 Al Ain
\nFujairah 1-0 Hatta
\nSharjah 2-1 Al Nasr
\nSaturday
\nAl Wahda 3-0 Ajman
\nAl Dhafra 2-0 Khor Fakkan
\nShabab Al Ahli Dubai Club 3-5 Al Jazira<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/967"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=967"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/967\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":969,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/967\/revisions\/969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}