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Al-Jazira icon Ali Mabkhout showed off his enduring class as Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai took another big step towards a first top division title in the 22nd round of the ADNOC Pro League.
Hat-trick hero Mabkhout scored in the 94th and 101st minutes as Abu Dhabi’s Pride emerged as top contenders of the season with a 4-3 win over Al-Nasr.
Meanwhile, it was a more sedate affair for leaders Shabab Al-Ahli as they cruised past promoted Al-Bataeh 3-0 to maintain a five-point lead and still hold on to a 5-point lead. Four games remain.
Champions Al Ain got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win at Khor Fakkan, with Brazilian left-back Erik in the game. But Morocco striker Walid Azaro’s brace in Ajman effectively helped Ajman end sixth-placed Al Wasl’s trophy dreams with a 4-2 defeat.
Fourth-placed Sharjah – who visit Al Ain next week – held on to distant hopes thanks to a 1-0 win over bottom-placed Al-Dhafra, who were on the brink of relegation after a decade-long top flight career .
Third-placed Al-Wahda needed a 98th-minute equalizer from Tunisian centre-back Alaeddine Zouhir to draw 1-1 with relegation-threatened Dibba Al-Fujairah.
Second-half efforts from Igor Rossi and Filip Keith saw Ittihad Karba beat Baniyas 2-1 at half-time.
Here are the talking points of Arab News’ top picks and latest moves.
Player of the Week – Ali Mabkhout (Al-Jazira)
Even in one of Asia’s longest and most storied careers, nights like this are rare.
Al-Jazira vs. Al-Nasr is a utterly breathless match, a sports drama from the deepest pit to the greatest glee.
Jazira, who had led by two goals before the hour, were close behind, 87 minutes behind and – decisively – regained the lead after 100 minutes.
Amidst the chaos, Mabkhout remained the same. The 32-year-old was unflappable and saved a death-defying victory for the club he made his debut in 2008.
His two penalties have taken him to 12 goals in the top flight this season; double that of closest challenger Shabab Al-Ahli’s Fede Cartabia.
Adding a composed half-volley to make it 3-3, he is now just one goal behind Al Ain’s 23-goal striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba.
Mabkhout’s trio further represented the league’s sixth multi-goal tally.
It also led to his record 203 top-flight appearances in the UAE. That’s 25 more than Al-Wahda veteran Sebastian Tagliabu and 28 more than legendary 1990 World Cup striker Hadid Khamis.
There are doubts over whether the 80-goal goalscorer for the UAE national team will continue to appear in international competition. But there’s no doubting Mabkhout’s incumbent value to fifth-placed Jazira.
Goal of the Week – Eric (Al Ain)
Eric just keeps getting better and better.
The highly rated teenage recruit from the Brazilian giants international has developed into Al Ain’s 22-year-old left-back. Despite the contrasting campaigns of the defending champion, his ascension continues.
Khor Fakkan hit another high water mark.
His delicate left boot produced an opening goal of surprising quality and ferocious power.
There seemed little danger when a loose corner flicked through the box. But rushing Eric was wary of the possibilities.
A wave of acceleration and a strong connection sent the ball flying into goalkeeper Ahmed Al Hosani’s near post.
The defender’s fine night continued for an hour when a sharp two-and-one with UAE midfielder Khalid Al-Balochi ended with a tantalizing low pass from Rabbah.
Al-Ain is still almost within reach of Shabab Al-Ahli. They were able to successfully defend their title in four matches thanks in no small part to the talent of their burgeoning full-backs.
Coach of the Week – Goran Tufegdzic (Ajman)
Another stunning result from Goran Tufegdzic’s expanding collection in Ajman.
The Orange Brigade crushed Al-Wasl’s title hopes in brutal fashion. 4-0 up on 51 minutes in a devastating display of attacking football.
A predatory brace from Moroccan center Walid Azaro put him in double figures in the league this season. Tunisian magician Firas Ben Larbi’s clever shot from a tight angle detailed how two missed penalties at Al-Bataeh in Game 21 did not cause lasting psychological turmoil, while Bahraini flyer Ali Madan passed his successful point The ball switch accepted new responsibilities.
Al-Wasl’s responses from former Argentina youth international Tomas Chancalay and an irrepressible Fabio De Lima could not prevent seventh-placed Ajman from winning to within two points of the underdogs.
The same advantage goes to fifth-placed Jazira. For a club that has never finished higher than seventh in its professional era, a campaign of historic achievement is within reach.
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