Arabian Gulf League: Matchweek 20 Review

It looks like the race for the Arabian Gulf Championship is going down to the wire. The top three all picked victories from the weekend whilst Fujairah drop two crucial points in the relegation battle.

We started gameweek 20 at the Rashid Bin Saeed Stadium where Ajman faced Shabab Al Ahli. Jaloliddin Masharipov cancelled out Bubacarr Trawall’s opener in the first half as both teams’ settled for a 1-1 draw. The visitors stay in fifth, whilst the Orange Brigade side stay level with Al Fujairah, only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone.

Al Jazira maintained their position at the top and dampened Hatta’s survival hopes even more after a 0-1 win. Ali Mabkhout continued his fine from the penalty spot in the first half which was the difference. Bladimir Vermzeovic is side now seven points from safety.

Fujairah drop two crucial points against Al Wasl on the weekend. The Wolves went ahead through Firas Ben Al Arbi who tapped home before the break. Defender Hueglo Neris was sent off for the visitors and it looked an uphill task to equalise. However, Fabio Lima converted from the spot in additional time to give the 10 men a vital point.

It was the Brazillian’s 17th goal of the season as Laurentiu Reghecampf’s side continued their unbeaten run of eight games, whilst Fujairah ended a run of three defeats but remain seven points from safety.

Igor Coronado scored four times as the King’s thrash Khor Fakkan 5-1 to end a five game winless run. An own goal from Waleed Sirag made things even worse for the visitors, who did end up getting a consolation through Roman Lopes.

The Eagles will be looking over their shoulders, now just seven points from the bottom with six games to go until the end of the season. Sharjah FC still four points from leaders Al Jazira.

Baniyas FC fought back twice to gain all three points against Al Nasr. The visitors went ahead just before half-time through Mehdi Abeid before Joao Pedro equalised for the hosts. The International Najd’s Knights regained the lead through Toze but late on, the Blues scored twice to gain three huge points in the race for the title.

Al-ittihad Kalba earned a 2-1 comeback win over Al Dhafra. The Western Knight’s went ahead just before the break after Makhete Diop capitalised on a defensive error to open the scoring. Ittihad Kalba put the pressure on the hosts in the second half and it paid off, as Romulo Dos Santos equalised before Davide Mariani gave the Tigers the victory.

Our last game ended with Al-Ain who were victory again Al Wahda to return to winning ways. Laba Kodjo netted a brace whilst Caio Concedo and Khalid Al Blooshi added their name on the scoresheet. The Red Giant’s were reduced to ten men after Ahmed Rashid was sent off for a second booking offence.

Pedro Emmanual’s side remain sixth and will have their eye on the AFC Champions League qualifiers with just six points separating them and third placed Sharjah FC. Al Wahda drop down to eighth.

What’s next?

The fixtures keep piling up as we go again on Monday. A crucial game down the bottom and the top, as league leaders Al Jazira host Al Fujairah, whilst Shajrah FC will look to follow on from their victory against Shabab-Al-Ahli.

Baniyas FC face a tough game against Al Ain who thrashed Al Wahda today. Meanwhile, bottom of the table Hatta will look to keep fighting in their hopes of surival when they take on Khor Fakkan.