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The First-Half Season Finals- Part 1

The final first-half season strive on the pitch commence this Saturday 14 January 2012 where Dubai host the 2011 league champions Al Jazira at Dubai Club Stadium in Al Awir 5:05 pm, Ajman visits the city of Al Ain to face this season winter’s champion at Tahnoun bin Mohammad Stadium in al Qattarh 5:05 pm, and the first night ends with the Dubai Derby Al Ahli against Al Wasl at Rashid Stadium 8:00 pm within Round 11 of the Etisalat Pro League competition.


Dubai vs. Al Jazira
After their significant 2-1 victory against Al Wasl within Round 10, Dubai resting in the second bottom of the table with 6 points are looking to relocate and move forward on the standings empowered by last week results, Al Awir lions have got their groove back and will fiercely fight to step off the danger zone and have a fresh new start by the beginning of the second half of the 2011/2012 competition. Al Jazira on the opposite side of the table with 20 points wish to move closer to the top and increase the now little space from Al Shabab, Al Nasr and Al Wahda. The defensive champions have gained their confidence back after the Round 10 merited victory against their home encounters Al Wahda and the remarkable 6-2 quarterfinal victory against Ajman in the President’s Cup competition.


Al Ain vs. Ajman
Despite the early announcement, the winter’s champion would not wish for two matches in a row in less than one week. Keen to keep the distance from their tough rivals, each match counts for the purples. The long list of absence including Gyan, Al Qahatni, Ali Al Wehaibi and Mosalam Fayez put the Al Ain-based team to the test. Still the return of Fares Jumaa from suspension and the anticipated return of Walid Salem from injury with the rest of the team keep the team in focus. Ajman on the other hand have shown a remarkable team performance throughout the season so far with their significant local and international players, yet their last 6-2 president’s cup defeat before Al Jazira might make the forthcoming match a hardship they should fight hard to overcome.


Al Ahli vs. Al Wasl
The first night of the first-half season finals ends with the Dubai derby Al Ahli vs. Al Wasl, with two points difference and one position on the standings promise a breath taking first night finale. The legend Maradona disappointed after the last 2-1 league-defeat before Dubai made him seriously consider a recruit demanding the club’s management to contract with some new high profile players. Mohammad Jamal, Tarek Hasan and Soud Saeed are amongst the list of Al Wasl absentee, Darwish Ahmed and Wahid Ismael return from suspension, besides Essa Ali who is highly expected to join the squad.