Al Ahli do not look like champions
Much as Al Shabab deserve praise for Sunday’s comeback against Al Ahli, the UAE champions have contributed to their own downfall.
Leading 2-0 until the 55th minute, they conceded three goals in the next 11 minutes and eventually lost 4-2. Last season's runaway winners have been reined in.
Ahli missed Ciel’s attacking thrust and will continue to do so until next spring, but in this match the problems arose in defence. Three goals came from set pieces.
No wonder Cosmin Olaroiu, the Ahli coach, struggled post-match to explain the defeat. For all the pre-season talk of maintaining motivation and fixing focus on retaining the title, lapses of concentration have peppered Ahli’s play these first few weeks.
As 2013/14 showed, title challengers must start fast and slip-ups will not be tolerated. Granted, they have three points from two matches, but Ahli are nowhere near as convincing as they were en route to a first championship in five years. Careless mistakes are costing them.
Al Jazira’s Achilles heel needs addressing
A new manager and a fresh batch of foreign signings had offered renewed hope, but the Abu Dhabi club have the same old failings. Much has been made of this reinvigorated Al Jazira and rightly so as the summer appointment of coach Eric Gerets was married with some astute acquisitions.
Mirko Vucinic, Manuel Lanzini and Jonathan Pitroipa form a potent attack – Jazira have scored five goals in two matches – but again the side's defence is a concern. Two fixtures, four goals conceded.
Last season, Jazira’s defence was breached more times – 35 – than any other team in the league’s top half, with more than a quarter of the goals coming in the final 10 minutes of matches. Against Fujairah on Saturday, they let victory slip when Boubacar Sanogo secured a draw three minutes from time. Gerets conceded that the problem stretches back long before his tenure, but he still needs to resolve it. Jazira’s title bid depends on it.
Sharjah’s new Brazilian trio need to improve, and fast
Last season, Sharjah’s top-flight return had much to do with their Brazilian nucleus: Mauricio Ramos in defence, Fellype Gabriel in midfield and Ze Carlos up front.
Only Ramos has remained for 2014/15. Carlos was deemed inadequate, while Gabriel damaged a cruciate ligament late in August and will not play this season. Sharjah’s driving force has been missed.
In his place came Leonardo Lima from Al Nasr. The Brazilian joined fellow new recruits Luan and Wanderley, compatriots designed to bolster an attack that last term scored fewer goals than everyone bar the two relegated clubs.
On evidence of the past two matches, Sharjah still lack a cutting edge. Failing to breach Al Ahli in the opener, they looked just as insipid in attack in Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Al Nasr. Wanderley, Luan and Lima were sloppy in possession and sluggish throughout.
The trio seem well off the pace. If they do not catch up soon, Sharjah’s season will never get going.
Al Ain move quickly on from Champions League distress
The reaction by a beaten and battered Al Ain to their Asian Champions League disappointment represented one of the most intriguing quandaries of Round 2. Saturday’s match at home to Al Wasl – the Garden City club’s first of the Arabian Gulf League season – took on even greater significance.
Yet Al Ain performed competently enough to make sure of victory. They displayed a real team ethic, too, especially in light of Mohammed Ahmed's red card early in the second half. There was no surrender similar to the one against Al Hilal.
Three points would have gone some way to healing wounds. Whether Al Ain can overhaul Hilal in next week’s return leg remains to be seen, but at least they went some way to regaining momentum. Facing Ajman tomorrow is another chance to build on that. For all the Asian focus, Al Ain must remember how last season’s early troubles wrecked chances of a third consecutive domestic title. A fast start is a necessity.
Tagliabue is the biggest threat to Gyan’s dominance
Sebastian Tagliabue seems one of the more understated strikers in the Arabian Gulf League, yet his talents continue to garner headlines. With it, Al Wahda’s unlikely title challenge has gained traction.
Signed 14 months ago from Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab, the Argentine dazzled in his debut season, scoring 28 league goals. The tally was bettered only by Asamoah Gyan, Al Ain’s hoarder of the division’s Golden Boot. In three seasons in UAE football, the Ghanaian has thrice finished top scorer.
But if Tagliabue pushed Gyan close in 2013/14, he looks the most likely candidate to go one step further this time. Notching the equaliser in Wahda's come-from-behind victory at Emirates on Saturday, he has scored two in two. It offered another firm endorsement of his talent. While careful not to appear too self-satisfied, Tagliabue has openly stated he is gunning for Gyan's award. Perhaps not so quietly anymore, he is satisfying that desire.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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