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A rejuvenated Al-Jazira rocked champion Al-Ain on an epic night, runner-up Sharjah won in Ajman and newcomer Al-Bataeh moved up to third in an unforgettable round 3 of the ADNOC Pro League.
The electrified Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium was the venue for Thursday’s first heavyweight campaign match – and it did not disappoint.
Al-Jazira’s Ali Mabkhout added to his icon status by winning Abu Dhabi Pride 2-1 in a match, while Al-Ain right-back Bandar Al-Ahbabi was also sacked. Earlier on the same evening, Spanish striker Paco Alcacer’s pinpoint header sealed a 3-2 victory for 10-man Sharjah, who were twice behind hapless Ajman.
Lourency’s second goal in three matches came as Bataeh bowed to 2015 AFC Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil in a 1-0 win over Baniyas; Syrian striker Omar Khrbin in 10-man Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club 2- 1 Put pressure on underperforming former employers Al-Wahda in a successful opener; a late double from Ittihad Kalba gave bottom-placed Al-Dhafra a 2-0 defeat. Diba Al-Fujairah, who advanced, drew 1-1 at Al-Wasr, while Hall Fakhan and Al-Nasr staged a goalless stalemate for the first time of the season.
Here are Arab News’ top picks and talking points for the latest action:
Player of the Week: Ali Mabkhout (Al-Jazira)
Mabkhout has been hailed as Jazira’s club royalty, and putting on such a show on a night like this, shows why.
Emirati football’s top scorer, both in the national team and in the history of the top flight, has played at a different level and it feels like a breakthrough moment. An estimated 20,000 spectators create a volcanic atmosphere, with the roar of the Horde accompanied by every match.
A clever assist and an instinctive finish proved Mabhut’s difference to the title. Their top players, Ukrainian master Andrei Yarmolenko and Togolese hitman Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba, failed to surpass him.
The first goal came on the heels of Mabhot after Romanian recruit Florin Tanase had the ball in. Although Colombian centre-backs Danilo Abouleda and Al Ababi took notice, a lightning-fast shot from 20 yards by Abdullah Ramadan came up.
Mabkhout’s predatory instincts after the break ensured he could profit from defensive deflections in the box. Real leadership also came in the frantic final stages as he coaxed his teammates across the finish line.
That’s now six strikes in three games and an average of one goal every 38.6 minutes, a dramatic reaction to last season’s 10-goal slump in 20 games.
Importantly, it was also a perfect nine for Al-Jazira heading into the international break. The 2020-21 champions, along with their legendary No. 7, will win again.
Target of the Week: Brian Ramirez (Al-Ittihad Kalba)
Something special is brewing on the east coast of the UAE.
Kalba’s impressive recruitment, led by Galatasaray loanee Alessandro Ciccardo and Serie A stalwart Daniel Bessa, has been rebranded off the pitch. The fusion of that goal came in a remarkable second goal in the win over Davra, which lifted Kalba to fourth.
After kicking off the flank of Under-21 goalkeeper Eisa Hooti, ​​there were 20 passes in total, all but left-back Abdulaziz Al Hamhami touching the ball. The perfectly calibrated game culminated with an artistic flick from UAE veteran Habib Fardan against Argentine forward Ramirez, who broke through the defence to level the score.
The ambition to break the established order of matches in the UAE and play in the AFC Champions League is the driving force behind the Etihad Kalba Stadium. Moments like these fuel this desire for clubs determined to claim their first major trophy in 50 years – and fast.
Coach of the Week: Goran Tufegdzic (Ajman)
Game 3 will focus on the capital derby.
Ajman’s defiance after the loss to Sharjah was a positive bellwether. Even if elite talent refocuses on the summit, plenty of ferocious competitors can be found elsewhere.
Head coach Tufegdzic led the Orange Brigade to a joint seventh-best finish in the pro era during his 2021-22 season debut. From Thursday night’s performance, the clear fighting spirit was preserved.
The Serb’s army has left the star-studded visitors – with former Barcelona players Miralem Pjanic and Alcacer in the starting line-up – chronically uneasy. They recorded six shots in 13 attempts, took the lead twice and boasted a terrific performance in the match by Congolese winger Prestige Mboungou, a skilled late-summer receiver for Saudi Arabia’s Abha.
The Kings panicked so much that UAE centre-back Salem Sultan was sacked for an off-ball incident.
Ajman has yet to taste victory this season. Based on this evidence, they’ll soon be enjoying this feeling in the coming weeks.
Looking back on a happy start
It’s been an exciting day for the ADNOC Pro League.
After a strong start, attendance continued to soar, the pace of the game increased dramatically, and the young Emiratis excelled in a thriving environment.
The turnaround reached an early climax at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, where Al-Jazira and Al-Ain played in a match comparable to matches in the Roshn Saudi League and Qatar Stars League.
The tournament’s organisers benefit from working with the Fan Association and encouraging engagement with the wider community. The investments they’ve made to revamp English-language television coverage can only help.
As temperatures drop, the influx of foreign players can expect more.
For too long in the second half of the past decade, the crowds were scattered and the footprints of UAE teams in the AFC Champions League were getting smaller and smaller.
The challenge now is to maintain that momentum in a unique season disrupted by the 2022 World Cup. A vibrant start cannot be wasted.
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