Sport | Football

Stage set for crucial league games

The next two days of action in the final week of the first phase of the Etisalat First Division Football League will see some key encounters, the results of which could very well set the tone for the second half of this competition.

  • By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:21 February 11, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News
  • Action during the etisalat First Division League match between Al Wasl and Al Jazira at Al Wasl Club. Al Jazira meet Al Shabab in a top-of-the-table clash tomorrow.

Abu Dhabi: The next two days of action in the final week of the first phase of the Etisalat First Division Football League will see some key encounters, the results of which could very well set the tone for the second half of this competition.

In one of the most interesting and open league championship, the final set of matches pits the top two teams against each other (Al Shabab vs Al Jazira), the bottom two teams against each other (Al Nasr vs Emirates), the two promoted teams against each other (Al Dhafra vs Al Hatta) and the two former champions against each other (Al Wahda vs Al Ahli).

In the top-of-the-table clash tomorrow, leaders Al Shabab host Al Jazira with just one point separating the two.

Shabab, who lost their second match in 10 encounters to defending champions Al Wasl in their previous tie, will be looking to make the most of home advantage against the visiting Abu Dhabi team.

Both teams have been very impressive and with a one-player change after the recent transfers, a fitting battle is on the cards. Shabab roped in Colombian David Rocu in the last minute while Jazira were forced to replace the injured Kalou with Mali's Mamadou Diallo.

Diallo joins Dutch star Phillip Cocu and Ivory Coast's Tony for Al Jazira while Shabab's Iranian duo of Jawad Qazimian and Eman Mob Ali will be hoping to extend their winning combination.

Sharjah's Al Shaab, lurking just behind the top two on 20 points, will be looking to put the pressure by winning against Al Ain in a home game today. Al Shaab will go top if they grab full points but will have to tighten their defence which has conceded 20 goals so far.

The day's first game pits Al Nasr against Emirates, the number 11 and 12 teams in the 12-strong pack and the Dubai team will be fully aware of the precarious position in which they find themselves.

Nigerians Andorans Edahor and Goodwin Nedbisi have their task cut out as the two new recruits who will have to lift their individual game as well as that of Al Nasr, a former powerhouse of UAE football.

Emirates, with seven defeats, are in danger of relegation and need more than a miracle to extricate themselves from the cellar.

Meanwhile, Al Wahda, who host Al Ahli, could get back into contention if their Brazilian trio combine along with the likes of Esmail Mattar and Mohammad Al Shehhi.

Having won their last three matches against Hatta, Al Nasr and Al Ain, today's match against Al Ahli could prove crucial if the Abu Dhabi giants want to extend their presence in the AFC Champions League.

Reigning champions Al Wasl take on strong contenders Sharjah and the latter, currently placed fourth, will be looking to score and move within striking distance of the leading trio.

Al Dhafra and Hatta, the two promoted teams, have done well so far and a win for either could push them further away from the danger zone.

With each one of the six matches over the next two days loaded with importance, UAE football fans cannot ask for a better end to a highly competitive first phase.

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