News Center
Al Ain at the league summit and Dubai last
The strive for the 3 points was massive this weekend within round 8 of Etisalat Pro League matches, Al Ain did it again, and for the second time kept the league summit with 20 points, after a breath-taking match against their counterparts Al Jazira who came second with 16 points on the table, while the unlucky Dubai tying with Sharjah remained at the bottom of the league table.
Al Jazira vs. Al Ain
Al Ain keeping their net zero goaled starting the beginning of the season crowned their efforts with another 3-1 victory against their fierce counterparts Al Jazira on the latter pitch, while the result was a first home league defeat for Al Jazira in 29 matches going back to March 2009. “We are in a very good position after this win, and I am very happy with the way my team played.” That’s how Al Ain Romanian head coach Olariou stated his joy and put it into words. “The difficult part is how to maintain our position” he added. On the other hand Vercauteren Al Jazira head coach learned his lesson in the hard way he said: “our work became very hard after we conceded a goal from a silly defending mistake.” Defending champions are having hard times lately but that is how the game works, “However those are lessons to learn I don’t blame any individual, these things happen and it happened for us this time.”
Emirates vs. Al Shabab
Coming second last on the league table, Emirates are still playing in the defeat zone, unless they had the 2-1 victory over Dubai they would have bottomed the table. The 5-1 league defeat against their rivals Al Shabab was the highest in round 8, together with Al Jazira shared the misfortunate game defeat on their own pitch before their counterparts Al Shabab and Al Ain.
3 Draws
Playing home Sharjah tied with Dubai 1-1, Bani Yas hosting Al Wahda 2-2, then the Al Wasl heart breaking draw that tasted like victory to their counterparts Al Nasr 2-2.
Al Ahli vs. Ajman
Al Ahli were the only one who scored a 2-0 league victory playing home in round 8, against their rivals Ajman netted through Grafite raising their points to 10.
Asamoah Gyan.. The league top striker
The on-loan Sunderland star took his league tally to nine goals in just eight matches with a decisive double in his side's 3-1 win away to defending champions and title rivals Al Jazira, while Oliveira Al Jazira’s top striker come second with seven goals.