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Arabian Gulf League: Round One Review

The first round of the 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League season lived up to its billing, getting off to a scintillating start with plenty of action and some surprise results. Round One saw 25 goals scored in seven games – 15 of which were scored by South Americans – and 11 players made scoring debuts in the League for their new clubs.

The very first game of the Arabian Gulf League season to kick off saw Al Wasl defeated 1-0 at home by newly-promoted Sharjah. Brazilian striker Fellype Gabriel scored 49 minutes into his League debut to give Paulo Bonamigo’s side all three points at the Zabeel Stadium, putting them 5th in the League table after one game, whilst Al Wasl are 12th. The very first goal of the season, however, was scored in Saturday’s other early kick-off between Al Dhafra and Emirates, as Bandar Mohammed gave the home side a 4th minute lead. Dr. Abdullah Misfer’s men couldn’t hold on though, as Emirates staged a comeback to win 3-1 with a brace from debutant German Gustavo Herrera and another debut goal for Jair. Emirates’ victory means both promoted teams made winning returns to the top flight, with Emirates topping the provisional League table after the first week, and Al Dhafra propping up the rest of the teams.

Five goals were scored at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Saturday night as Al Wahda beat Al Nasr 3-2, with all players on the scoresheet being debutants. Al Nasr’s new Brazilian signing Eder Luis opened the scoring in the 4th minute before Damian Diaz replied for the hosts two minutes later, then adding his second of the game in the 24th minute. Sebastian Tagliabue got Al Wahda’s third and Ibrahima Toure reduced the deficit for the visitors. Al Wahda are 4th in the table and Al Nasr 9th after one game. Meanwhile at the Dubai Stadium in Al Awir, Al Ahli made hard work of their first win, taking until the 90th minute to find a way through Dubai’s defense and win 1-0 courtesy of an Ahmad Khalil free kick. Al Ahli are 6th with their first three points, whilst Dubai are 11th.

Sunday’s action began with a last-minute 2-1 win for Al Jazira at Al Shaab. The home side had taken the lead through Ahmad Eissa in the first half, but an acrobatic Abdullah Mousa equaliser in the 81st minute was followed by an injury-time winner from Ricardo Oliveira to secure all three points for Luis Milla’s men, putting them 5th in the table and leaving Al Shaab 10th.

In the first of Sunday’s 8:30pm games, Al Shabab upset the reigning champions by beating Al Ain 3-1 at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium. Adeilson, Al Shabab’s new Brazilian signing, showed he is more than capable of replacing the departed Ciel as he scored a brace on his debut, with a goal in each half sandwiching Mohanad Salem’s half-time equaliser. The Al Ain centre-back had a less successful second half, conceding a penalty and being shown a straight red card for his troubles in the 69th minute. The penalty was duly converted by Edgar Bruno to round off the 3-1 win, putting Al Shabab 2nd in the table and Al Ain second from bottom.

Seven of the weekend’s goals came at the Rashid bin Saeed Stadium as Ajman were defeated 4-3 by Bani Yas. The visitors took an early lead through Luis Fariña, scoring 5 minutes into his debut, before fellow debutant Carlos Muñoz got in on the act with a double, scoring Bani Yas’ second and fourth goals. Boris Kabi replied for Ajman and Yousef Jaber was also on target for Bani Yas, but having gone 4-1 down, the hosts made a valiant comeback attempt to bring the score to 4-3 through Abdualla Ahmed and Simon Feindouno. Bani Yas sit 3rd in the Arabian Gulf League table at the conclusion of Round One, whilst Ajman are 8th.