Keen contests in store as second round starts today

Abu Dhabi: Following the end of the Asian Cup finals in Qatar, the UAE Pro-League (UFL) resumes today entering its second round with many teams having made changes during the transfer window.

The ‘week 12' matches will be held over three days, starting today, with two matches every night to give fans a chance to attend as many matches as possible after complaints about low attendances.

Gate receipts potentially affect the UFL's standing with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and could limit the number of slots available for local clubs to progress through to continental competition in the form of the AFC Champions League.

UFL leader, Al Jazira with 29 points, have recalled Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira who was on loan with Sao Paolo to replace Toni of the Ivory Coast and has also signed Esmail Khamis from Emirates Club.

Al Jazira travel to Dubai to face Al Nasr, sixth with 16 points, as ‘Italia 90' legend Walter Zenga leads the home side in his first UFL match in charge. The former Italy keeper has only had the briefest of familiarisations via the last two Etisalat Cup group games, a loss and a win, but he now has the new services of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Vergilio (aka Careca) on loan from Al Kuwait to depend upon.

Second from bottom, Dubai Club, with nine points, have a tough match against Al Ain, tenth and two points ahead of Dubai, at home in Al Aweer.

Dubai now with three new Brazilians; Gustavo, Jeaozinho and Gil, have performed well in the off-season Etisalat Cup games and is expected to continue its promising form. Meanwhile, Al Ain, led by two new foreigners, hope to reverse their poor start to the season.

Universidad Catolica midfielder Milovan Moldovan of Chile and attacking midfielder Elias Ribeiro from Brazil's Fluminense join Al Ain after Argentinean striker Jose Sand was released on loan to Spain's Deportivo La Coruna. Al Ain have also tempted keeper Esmail Rabea away from Al Nasr. Al Ahli, fourth with 17 points and a game in hand, host Al Dhafrah in Dubai tomorrow, hoping to avenge their first-round defeat to advance in the standings, while Al Dhafrah, ninth with 11 points, will work hard to collect more points to avoid relegation.

Al Ahli have acquired the services of Moroccan defensive midfielder Karim Al Ahmadi from Feyenoord while striker Aristide Bance has been sent on loan to Umm Salal in Qatar.

In what's caused a stir around Mamzar Park, Al Ahli have also acquired the services of their derby rival's defender Abdulaziz Haikel from Shabab.

Al Wahda, seventh on 15 points with a game in hand, will host Al Wasl third with 17 points in tomorrow's late match — Al Wasl will hope to march on with the help of new Brazilian 20-year-old forward Alex Pires De Souza previously of Fluminense.

Also on Saturday, Sharjah, eighth with 15 points, will host bottom club Al Ittihad Kalba, on four points, while Bani Yas, second with 24 points, will play at home against Al Shabab, fifth with 16 points.

Bani Yas are strengthened by Sharjah's Iraqi striker Mustafa Karim, while Kalba has brought in Brazilian midfielder Elias de Oliveira Rosa (aka Kanu) from Portugal's Maritimo they also have two new Brazilian youngsters Mathew and Elnaeder.

Fixtures

Today:

Tomorrow:

Saturday: