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Dramatic Changes in Round 5 of Etisalat Pro-league

The fifth round of the Etisalat Pro-League witnessed dramatic changes mainly in the leadership of the standings as Sharjah, Al Jazira and Al Wasl exchanged the number one position throughout the three days of play. Sharjah were on top of the table for the first time with 10 points when they overcame hosts Al Nasr 2-1 on the second day of the round but their leadership continued only for a short time. Al Jazira took over the top position before they dropped to the second place with 11 points a few hours later, after Al Wasl trounced Al Shabab with a stunning 4-0 win to raise their tally to 12 points and recapture their leadership. After their third consecutive loss Al Shabab and are in 8th position with six points, just ahead of Al Dhafra (9th) and Al Nasr (10th) on goal difference. Whilst Al Nasr lost 1-2 to Sharjah at home, they demonstrated neat football and some thought they were the better side but failed to convert all the chances that came their way.

The fifth round say much improvement for many of the teams but the remarkable characteristic of the round was that five squads lost their home matches to the visitors with the exception of Al Jazira who enjoyed a 4-0 victory over visiting team Bani Yas in the match played at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Al Jazira remains the only team to keep an unblemished record, having not suffered a defeat since the start of the season. They have won three times against Al Nasr 3-0, Sharjah 2-1 and Bani Yas 4-0 but drew in two successive games against Al Wahda 0-0 and Al Ahli 2-2.

Al Ain, who played in the previous round without their three top players due to injury and suspension, lost for the first time 1-2 to Al Ahli to slip to 6th place, whilst Al Wahda came up with the biggest win so far after beating Dubai 5-0 with an excellent performance to start their title defending struggle.

The fifth round ended with seven teams proving the early favourites to win the trophy. The difference between Al Wasl on top of the table and Al Ain in the 7th place is only four points and this is a strong indication that the forthcoming rounds will not be easy for all competing teams. The positions of the teams are set to see-saw over the comings week due to the tough competition and unpredictable form of the leading squads.

One of the important features of the six matches played in round five was the total number of goals by scored all teams. The goals reached 23, two goals more than round four. Moreover, the local players scored 12 goals against 11 for the expatriates and this is the first time this has happened this season.

Al Dhafra tamed Kalba at home beating them 3-1 to gain their second victory in the league championship after losing three times successively and drawing once to be in 9th position with 6 points. Kalba and Dubai are the only two teams who did not maintain a single win in all five games. Kalba are one point ahead of Dubai following their 2-2 draw with Al Ahli in their opening match to stay in the 11th place, whilst Dubai are at the bottom of the table and are yet to open their tally.

This weekend sees a break from the Etisalat Pro-League as teams compete in the first round of the Etisalat Cup. When the Pro-League resumes in round six on October 15 Al Ahli will take on Dubai and Al Wahda will face Al Nasr at home. In the other matches Al Dhafra will play against Al Jazira and Bani Yas will host Al Ain on October 16, and on the following day (October 17) Sharjah will take on Al Shabab and Al Wasl will play Kalba at home.