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Al Jazira end round one on top
Al Jazira hold the top place in the UFL professional league as the winter break brings in an end of round one
- By Sayed Ali, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:40 December 20, 2008
- Merdad Awladi (right) of Al Shabab battles for the ball against Abdul Salam Juma and Khalid Sebil of Al Jazira during their UFL match.
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
Dubai: Al Jazira hold the top place in the UFL professional league as the winter break brings in an end of round one.
The Abu Dhabi–based club could be on their way to winning their first ever league title.
Last season they remained in the competion for the title until the last match against Al Shabab, who drew goalless to win the league. However, this season they have learnt from that lesson and hope to avoid a repeat.
They signed the most expensive player in the UAE league, Brazilian Rafael Sobis, at a cost of Dh95 million, and also brought his compatriot Fernando Baiano, a sharp shooter at the front line, on board.
Baiano is the top goalscorer in the league, scoring 10 goals in as many matches.
With dynamic and talented midfielder Ebrahim Diyaki, the Brazilian duo are creating panic amongst their opponents' defences.
The Emirati players of Al Jazira are doing well in the current season. Saleh Obaid is playing one of his best seasons and goalkeeper Ali Khasif is maintaining mostly good form.
Defenders Rashid Abdul Rahman, Khalid Sebil, Abdullah Mussa and Brazilian Rozario are proving strong and Abdul Salam Juma, Sultan Barghash, Subait Khater and Hilal Saeed are the best midfield line in the league.
In addition to the two Brazilians at the front, there is Tony of the Ivory Coast, who is recovering from an injury. Tony will be an excellent addition to Al Jazira's strike force when he is fully fit.
Al Jazira sit on top with 25 points from 10 matches, two points more than Al Ahli who failed to share the top place with them after they were held to a 1–1 draw by Al Dhafra.
Al Ahli were lucky to return to Dubai with one point the penalty kick from which they levelled the score, was contentious. The incident appeard to take place outside the box but referee Abdullah Al Ajil awarded a penalty.
Similarly, Hamad Al Shaikh awarded a penalty to Al Jazira against Al Nasr, even though the incident seemed to have occured outside the penalty area.
In addition to that, Al Dhafra scored a second goal and the referee ruled it offside, while TV replays showed that Mohammad Salim, the goalscorer, was onside.
Al Ain continued chasing the top places with a resounding 2–0 win against Al Wasl. Brazilian striker Andrea Diaz, a former Al Wasl player, scored both goals against his old club. Al Ain are third with 21 points.
Al Nasr coach Luka Bonacic was not happy after losing two points in the last minute as visitors Al Wahda drew 1–1 through a penalty kick. Luka said that it was the ninth penalty kick against the team since the start of the season.
"What can I say, I told my defenders many times not to create fouls inside the box and take care in the last minutes, but Al Wahda levelled from a spot kick in the last minute," said Luka.
Ajman, newcomers from the second division, continued their good run in the league, beating bottom club Al Khaleej 2–1 to become fourth with 17 points securing themselves a place in the middle of the table, away from the relegation zone.
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