Dubai: Top contenders will be looking to consolidate their positions in eighth week action of Arabian Gulf League on Sunday and Monday before heading into a lengthy break for Gulf Cup.
Early leaders Al Wahda dropped vital points following their 3-3 away draw with Ajman while defending champions Al Ahli too were lucky to earn a 2-2 away draw against Al Dhafra in last week’s seventh round of matches.
However, two other contenders Al Jazira and Al Shabab showed character and resilience with wins. Al Jazira left things late for a 3-2 home win against Al Nasr while Al Shabab hauled their campaign back on track after two successive losses with a 4-2 mauling of Sharjah.
Things look pretty close between teams as things stand with Al Wahda at the top of the table with 15 points followed by Al Jazira in second with 14. The top two are followed by Al Ain, Al Shabab and Al Ahli with an identical 12 points.
Al Nasr are in sixth place with eleven points followed by Bani Yas in seventh with nine and Emirates with eight. Ajman, Al Dhafra, Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Wasl are all with six points each while new entrants Kalba are struggling in the cellar with just one point — thanks to their 1-1 draw against Bani Yas in the second week.
In Sunday’s early match, league leaders Al Wahda will host Fujairah in a tricky encounter, while in the late matches Al Shabab will be on the road against Fujairah and Al Ahli will be hoping to recapture last season’s form against Al Ain.
On Monday, Al Nasr will host Al Dhafra and Al Jazira will travel to Kalba in the two early games, while Sharjah will be at home against a struggling Al Wasl and Bani Yas will entertain Ajman in the late matches.
After this week’s action, the AGL will take a one-month break to ensure participation of the UAE in the Gulf Cup that is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 13. The ninth round of the AGL will be held on November 29-30.
