Arabian Gulf League: Matchweek 25 review

The title race will go down the final day of the season after another thrilling weekend of Arabian Gulf League action.

Title Race

Bani Yas kept their title hopes alive after trashing Al Dhafra 5-0. In an extraordinary opening 20 minutes at the Hamden Bin Zayed Stadium saw the Sky Blues score three times. Joao Pedro Pereira, Gaston Suarez and Ahmed Abdulrahman all were on the scoresheet for the visitors.

The Western Knights came into the second half similar to how they did in the first and it didn’t take long for the Daniel Isalia’s side to increase their lead. Nicolas Gimenez netted the fourth before Ahmed Abunahmous rounded off a brilliant team performance from the Abu Dhabi side.

Al Jazira maintained their firm grip at the top of the AGL after a convincing 2-0 win against Al Ain. Ali Mabkhout scored his 24^th goal of the campaign in the first half. However, the hosts could count themselves fortunate after Kodjo Laba’s penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Ali Khaseif in the 78^th minute. Just two minutes later Milos Kosanovic scored a sublime free kick to seal the win, as Marcel Keizer’s side  on the brink of winning their third league title.

Top 4

Shabab Al Ahli eased past Al Wasl to climb into the top four and continue their unbeaten streak of 15 games without defeat. Three first half goals were enough to claim victory for the Red Knights. A double from Carlos Eduardo before Harib Suhail made sure of the points.

Al Nasr through away a 2-0 lead against Al Wahda to hand Al Ahli a lifeline in the race for the AFC Champions League qualifiers. The visitors took the lead after Fares Jumma netted in his own net. Sebastian Tagliabue capitalised on a mistake from goalkeeper Mohamed Al Shamsi to double the deal. However, Omar Khribin pulled one back for Al Wahda before Tim Matavz sealed the comeback ten minutes from time to snatch the Red Giant’s a point.

Relegation

Already relegated Hatta look to finish their season on a high after a 4-0 win against Ittihad Kalba. Miral Samadzic was the first on the scoresheet to give the hosts the advantage in the first half.

Jonathas de Jesus doubled the lead from the spot before Dostanabek Khamdamov and Samardzic seal the Tornado side’s third victory of the season. Meanwhile, the Tigers remain seventh with 36 points.

It remains to be seen who will join them. Ajman and Fujairah will have to battle it out on the final days of the Arabian Gulf League season as neither side could pick up victory.

The Wolves were held to a 0-0 draw again Khorfakkan but still have left two games to play over the Orange Brigade side who struggled against an in-form Sharjah. An own goal from Abdulrahman Rakan put the visitors in the lead. The home side were reduced to ten men when Waleed Abdulla was sent off and from than it looked like an uphill task for Ajman to get anything from the game.

Igor Coronado came off the bench to score two and cement Sharjah’s third place finish after they continued their incredible run of form from the ACL. Ajman’s survival hopes were out of their hands going into the final match and will now hope for relegation rivals Fujairah to slip up in the remaining games left.