The match between Al Ain and Al Jazira at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Sunday night may be billed as the most important match of the season but, for the visitors, the defining fixture arguably took place more than two weeks ago.
These two sides were level on points at the top of the Arabian Gulf League table before the 17th round of games, which started on February 19.
Jazira had their noses in front thanks to the fact they had won the first game between the two sides 4-3 in Abu Dhabi back in October.
Al Ain had played one game less, but they gifted Jazira the chance to move three points clear when they lost 1-0 to Fujairah on February 19.
Jazira then wasted that opportunity with their own shock result two days later, going down 2-1 on home turf to Al Dhafra.
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Since then Al Ain have played their game in hand, again against Fujairah, but this time they made no mistake as they triumphed 3-0 and, for the first time this season, went to the top of the table outright.
They go into Sunday’s match with only nine games of the domestic campaign to play, knowing a win against their nearest challengers will be a defining moment in their bid for a third AGL title in four years.
It has been a commendable return to form for Al Ain after some early season struggles and a dismal last campaign.
All of a sudden manager Zlatko Dalic knows that a win will put his team in such a strong position that failing to deliver the title would be seen as a massive failure.
Topping the table naturally brings its own pressure, which Dalic is experiencing for the first time and is accentuated with him having to juggle domestic league fixtures with continental duties.
Eric Gerets must hope that Al Ain’s Asian Champions League exertions in the away 1-1 draw against Naft Tehran in midweek have taken a physical toll on the players and that Omar Abdulrahman, who has not started any of Al Ain’s past three matches, is still unfit.
More importantly, he will be looking to his own players to get over the shock of defeat to Dhafra, while he will hope the return of Ali Mabkhout will boost the team.
Last week Mabkhout entered the Guinness Book of World Records after his goal against Bahrain at the Asian Cup in January for the UAE was confirmed as the competition's fastest at 14 seconds.
Jazira will need him to reciprocate the form that saw him and Mirko Vucinic lead the club to the top of the table early in the season.
Defeat for Jazira could be fatal to their hopes of landing this season’s title and have longer-lasting repercussions.
It could be a while before they get an opportunity as big as this again.
At the start of the season, few fans saw the title going anywhere but Al Ain or Al Ahli, with Al Jazira seen as nothing more than a dark horse.
With Ahli self-imploding and Al Ain taking time to get into their stride, this season provided a golden opportunity for Jazira to win their second league title.
It looked as though they had hungrily grabbed that chance with both hands until two weeks ago, when their grip was significantly loosened.
On Sunday, it could be snatched away for good.
akhaled@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
WITHIN%20SAND
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
Scoreline
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (53')
Atletico Madrid 1
Griezmann (57')
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
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Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
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Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
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Company%20profile
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Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars