Al Jazira’s 2-0 victory over league champions Al Ahli last Saturday proved the Arabian Gulf League is no longer the two-horse race it once was.
Al Ahli and Al Ain were expected to be the top contenders for the title before the season began, having shared the past five championships between them, but last week’s result has thrown Al Jazira – as well as Al Wasl and Al Shabab – firmly into the mix.
League leaders Al Wasl can enjoy another week at the top of the table if they leave Ras Al Khaimah with a win over struggling Emirates on Wednesday.
Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side had a poor start to the season, losing to Al Jazira 3-1, but they have since won six on the trot – their last game an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Baniyas.
Al Wasl are the obvious favourites to return with three points against second-from-bottom Emirates, but the former Boca Juniors manager warned his players against complacency.
“We are at the top of the league table but that doesn’t guarantee us a win against any opponent,” the Argentine said. “As always, we take one game at a time.
“This game right now is the most important for us. Emirates have nothing to lose and we expect another tough game against a side that want to record their first win in the league.”
Tenth-placed Sharjah travel to Kalba, who are a place below them, for the late game on Wednesday.
Fourth-placed Ahli will be eager to rebound from their defeat to Jazira when they host Al Dhafra on Thursday, before Baniyas welcome Al Wahda. Dibba take on Hatta in the early game on Friday and Al Nasr will be at home to Al Shabab in the late fixture.
Jazira have the weekend off as their scheduled game with Al Ain has been postponed due to the Garden City club’s second leg of the Asian Champions League final against South Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
apassela@thenational.ae
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