Five things in the AGL: Week 7 - Same issues for Sharjah this year

Rashid Essa rediscovers form and it is difficult to judge Al Wahda's title prospects. John McAuley looks at the past week's action in the Arabian Gulf League.

Damian Rodrigo Diaz, centre, and his Al Wahda teammates sit atop the table through seven games in the AGL. Delores Johnston / The National

Essa stakes claim

Formerly a national team regular, Rashid Essa has endured an unfortunate two years since the 2012 Olympics.

The midfielder, one of the UAE’s strongest performers in London, seriously injured his knee, which required surgery and a long spell on the sidelines.

Last season, he played just one league match for Al Wasl.

However, a summer loan move to Al Ain hinted Essa’s rehabilitation was complete, which was underscored by Wednesday’s display against Emirates.

Al Ain triumphed 2-1, with Essa a standout alongside Miroslav Stoch. The Emirati controlled midfield for large spells, his vision and ingenuity evident.

A few bits of showboating confirmed that, much like his fitness, his confidence has also returned.

It was only his second appearance this season and Al Ain were significantly depleted, but Essa’s rediscovery of form was a welcome sign – for both club and country.

Familiar problem at Sharjah

Last season, Sharjah were not exactly the league’s great ­entertainers.

The five-time UAE champions did excel on their return to the top flight, finishing seventh, yet they did it primarily because they possessed the league’s most miserly defence.

The concession of only 25 goals lightened the responsibility on the team’s attack.

It was just as well, since Sharjah scored only 29 goals, the fewest of all clubs bar the two relegated.

That bluntness has persisted. In seven matches, Sharjah have found the net nine times, with four coming against bottom side Kalba.

At Al Shabab on Wednesday, they scored twice – not bad for a team away from home – but, in truth, they carried little threat. It has been a common theme this term.

Granted, an injury to Luan prompted a last-minute change up front and the sidelined Fellype Gabriel is a huge miss, but Paulo Bonamigo needs to sharpen his offensive play – fast.

Ahli leave it late

Clinching a last-gasp result when staring at defeat is usually the hallmark of a strong champion, but Al Ahli’s later-than-expected reprieve at Al Dhafra on Thursday will cause considerable consternation at the club.

For a start, they were abject in the first half, with Abdelaziz Haikal particularly rotten.

Ahli deservedly went into the break 2-0 down.

They must be commended for their response, though, as Cosmin Olaroiu’s men returned so focused that they battered their opponents until goals from Carlos Munoz and Luis Jimenez salvaged a draw.

That the point was secured well into the seventh minute of injury time – six minutes had been allocated – represented substandard officiating.

Ahli would not complain, though, although yet more dropped points raises a few ­questions.

With three victories from seven league matches, they are already playing catch-up and face Al Ain next.

Vast improvement is required.

Looking bleak at Kalba

With one point from seven matches, Kalba’s stay in the top tier is set to be a short one.

If that much was expected before a ball was kicked this season, it is a shame those reservations have been validated so soon.

Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Fujairah, their fellow new boys, would have been especially hard to take, given the clash represented a battle of the division’s bottom sides.

Even at this early stage of the campaign, victory for either was a must.

With the three points, Fujairah moved out of the relegation zone, if only on goal difference.

Kalba, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the table, with little hope of scraping together enough points to secure survival.

They have the league’s least potent attack and most generous defence – not exactly a recipe for success.

Abdelhak Benchikha, the new manager, will recognise the gravity of the situation.

It already looks ominous.

Wahda find their level

Top of the table after seven rounds and the only side in the league yet to taste defeat, these are positive times at Al Wahda.

Thursday’s 3-3 draw at Ajman extended their record in the Arabian Gulf League to one defeat in 22 matches, a run that helped clinch last season’s runner-up finish.

It is difficult, though, to gauge where Wahda sit among the title challengers this campaign. Yes, they have begun well, but the fixture list has been kind and the next sequence will test their ability.

After Monday’s home clash against Fujairah, four of Wahda’s next five matches are against Al Jazira, Al Ain, Al Ahli and Al Nasr: four clubs with title-winning ambitions. The other match is against Dhafra on December 4.

The draws against Al Wasl and Ajman in their latest fixtures have raised questions about Wahda’s legitimacy as contenders.

Having Damian Diaz back from injury is a boost, and a necessary one.

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