Al Ahli may prove my predictions wrong

The UFL will go down to the wire. The highly entertaining 2-2 draw between Al Ahli and Al Ain opened the door for Al Jazira as they comfortably beat Al Nasr 2-0.

There is just one point now separating leaders Al Ahli and second-placed Al Jazira. The final two games for both teams should on paper end in victories as they have games against teams who will have one eye on their holiday destinations of the summer.

All along I have said that I don't think Al Ahli would win the league for the simple reason they did not invest in the same way that the other clubs did pre-season. I think I am about to be proved wrong.

The combination of foreign and home-based players has served them well. They even had one of their star players Faisal Khalil missing for a portion of the season for reasons unknown and speculation surrounded Egyptian Hosny leaving the club during the transfer window.

The Brazilian Bare has been a source of vital goals in the second half of the season including two midweek. Ivan Hasek has produced a solid team and he may well get his reward in the next few weeks.

It is no surprise Al Jazira are up there as a team that spent heavily in the summer, bringing in a high-profile coach and players.

They are desperate for the league title and the chance to play at the World Club Championship at their own stadium. The title is in Al Ahli's hands but as someone once said “It's a funny old game''. There may well be a few twists and turns in the final two games.

Mattar strikes

The UAE's finest player Esmail Mattar has gone on loan to Al Sadd in Qatar.

This seems a bit of a strange move as it is only three games. The move has given him a new lease of life as he scored on his debut and his new team won their match in the Prince Cup.

He has always expressed a desire to play in Europe and this could be the first step on the way to fulfilling that dream. The trapdoor in the UFL has now opened for Al Khaleej.

Al Shaab will need a miracle to survive. It is no surprise Al Khaleej have been relegated though it is a shock one of the bigger clubs in the shape of Al Shaab have been dragged into the mire.

They have two games to play and are six points adrift of Sharjah and Ajman. They have to rely on their near neighbours not gaining another point and a miraculous turnaround in form to win the final two games of the season.

Weekend's games

Friday

Al Ahli v Al Dhafra

Al Wahda v Al Nasr

Al Wasl v Al Ain

Al Jazira v Al Shabab

Al Shaab v Al Sharjah

Al Khaleej v Ajman

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