Abu Dhabi: Al Ahli ended the first round of the Arabian Gulf League in style extending their lead to seven points over nearest rivals Al Shabab.
While Al Ahli kept up their winning streak, the top three contenders behind them: Al Shabab, Al Jazira and Sharjah all dropped points each in the 13th week to allow Al Ahli to go further ahead with their head coach Romanian Olaroiu Cosmin looking towards the UAE football’s history books.
He may well be the first coach to win three successive league titles with two different clubs as he led Al Ain to triumph in the last two edition of the league before shifting to Al Ahli this season.
There will be no break between the first round and the second which will commence on Wednesday and the clubs have to make their moves fast to replace the foreign professionals who did not meet their expectations with the winter transfer window already open.
At the season’s half-way mark, Al Ahli seemed the best bet to win the title with their consistent performance and results. They have lost only one match out of 13, drawing twice, scoring 25 goals and conceding only 12.
Al Shabab are second at seven points behind. Al Nasr, Sharjah and Al Jazira are now tied on 23 points each, hoping for the second round to edge closer to the leaders.
It might be a difficult task but not impossible bearing in mind that the leaders, Al Ahli, will also have to be busy in the AFC Champions League — which can expose the players to more injuries and fatigue.
The topscoring team is now Al Ain, the reigning champions, with 31 goals with their Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan scoring 16 of them but they are placed sixth with 21 points.
Sharjah have shown the best defence as their team have conceded only 11 goals in 13 matches but they have the most unproductive forward line-up in the AGL, which only scored 13 goals in as many matches.
Sharjah’s Brazilian head coach Paolo Bonamigo is known for his defensive organisations more than his attacking strategies and their games have reflected this.
Dubai, Al Shaab, Ajman and Emirates are the relegation-threatened teams going into the second round, so they may dip into the transfer market to ensure their safety.
