Arabian Gulf League Matchweek 23 Review: Al Jazira head to the top of the table as Al Fujairah fall into the relegation zone

Embed from Getty Images

The Arabian Gulf League takes another turn as Bani Yas drop points at the top of the table and Ajman earn a crucial win at the bottom of the league. 

We started the week at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Stadium where Hatta dented their survival hopes after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Al Wahda.

The Western Knights opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes through Makhete Diop, who netted his 100th goal in the Arabian Gulf League.

Jonathas De Jesus equalised just before the break, before doubling the lead early in the second-half from the spot to complete the comeback. The visitors mounted the pressure and responded through Mohammed Al-Junaibi to earn a point.

Vladimir Vermezovic side remain bottom with nine points, five points from safety following Ajman’s win whilst Al Dhafra stay 11th with 21 points.

Al-Ittihad Kalba earned their first away win against Al Wahda. Ahmed Amer capitalised on a defensive error in the first-half to seal the points. The win saw the Tigers move up to seventh level on 35 points with the Red Giants.

Al Fujairah’s survival hopes suffered a damaging blow after defeat to Shabab Al-Ahli. The hosts came from 2-0 down to defeat the Wolves and extend their unbeaten run to 19 games.

The visitors opened the scoring in the opening three minutes through Douglas Coutinho who headed home. The Brazillian was involved in setting up Abdulazeez Maftau Owalabi for the second.

Igor Jesus scored his 12th goal of the season to get the Western Knights back into the game before the break. Minutes into the second half, Al-Ahli levelled the scoreline from Mohammed Juma Eid, who slotted the ball past Fujairah’s goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Tamimi.

Despite the Emirati saving a penalty from Carlos Eduardo, Gerard Zaragoza’s side sealed the comeback in the 90th minute through Jaloliddin Masharpov who earned his side a 3-2 victory and moved them into the top three. Fujairah dropped down to the relegation zone on goal difference.

Al Nasr moved one point off the top three after a 3-1 victory against Al Ain at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. Israeli international Diaa Saba curled in a superb free-kick for the hosts before the visitors responded through individual brilliance from Bandar Al Ahbabi to level.

The Boss made two costly mistakes which allowed the hosts to capitalise twice in the final 10 minutes. First from Gabriel Valentini before Sebastian Tagliabue made sure of the three points.

Ajman earned their first away win in the league this season against Khorfakkan. The Oranges scored in the first two minutes of the game through Bobker Trawally which was one of the fastest goals they have ever scored in the Gulf League.

The Eagles were reduced to 10-men through Roman Lopes and the hosts took advantage as Luse Antonio Soares doubled the lead.

The visitors reduced the deficit when Bruno Lamas converted from the spot but five minutes into the second-half Leandro Spadacio regained Ajman’s two-goal advantage. Despite Yousef Al Ameri getting one back for Caio Zanardi’s side, Khorfakkan suffered back to back defeats and stayed in 10th whilst Ajman moved out of the relegation zone but remained level on points with Fujairah.

Al Jazira ended Al Wasl’s 12-game unbeaten run after they were made to work hard during a 3-2 victory. An own goal from Hueglo Neris gave the host the lead. The Abu Dhabi side were pegged back less than ten minutes later through Fabio Lima.

Leading goal scorer Ali Mabkhout gave Marcel Keizer’s side the lead but the Brazillian Lima was there again for the Cheetah’s to net his 21st goal in the league.

Five minutes from time Milos Kasanovic scored a superb free-kick for the second time this season as the hosts regained their place at the top of the table, whilst Al Wasl stay in ninth.

We ended match week 23 as Bani Yas were held to a 1-1 draw against Sharjah FC. Joao Pedro converted from the spot for the Sky Blues before Caio Lucas Fernandez equalised from close range. The draw saw Daniel Isalia’s side drop to second, one point behind Al Jazira. Meanwhile, the King’s slipped to fourth with 42 points.

What next?

?Take a look at what matchweek 23’s results have done to the standings
Al Jazira regain top spot, Shabab Al Ahli, Ittihad Kalba and Ajman move up?#AGLeague#OurGameIsOn pic.twitter.com/Uih43mHJ8X

— Arabian ↔️ Gulf ↔️ League (@AGLeague_EN) April 3, 2021

Ajman welcome Al Jazira in a huge clash, with both sides needing the points, whilst Baniyas look to continue their fight for the title against an in-form Shabab Al-Ahli.

Al Nasr carry on their charge for the top four when they take on Al Dhafra, who are winless in their last five games.