Sparky’s Column

A column from the heart of the action…

It's back back back!!!!! The Etisalat Pro-League has returned after what seemed like an eternity.

I write this column from the press box at Sharjah and my over excitement is due to the fact I have just seen an absolutely cracking free kick scored by Dhiab Awana of Bani Yas. He is one of the UAE's bright young things from the Olympic team and he continues his form in the domestic League. I look left and can see some very happy Bani Yas fans moving to what sounds like snake charming music. I think I will keep my feet off the floor in case it attracts any reptilian interest, then again Sharjah's industrial area 6 is not known for its wildlife. Turning to my right I see some very grim faces on the Sharjah VIP's. I don't know if the tea is bitter or it's the 2-0 score line after 41 minutes, but I am guessing the latter. There's a small child running up and down the steps in a Marceleno shirt - the real Marceleno is yet to show the same level of energy on the pitch.

Bani Yas look like a side going places - most of the players on the pitch look like they are barely out of high school. They have dominated the first half with an intensity that Sharjah have struggled to match. The half time whistle means I can now sample some half time hospitality, I can recommend the muffins at Sharjah. The free kick replays on the screen over and over again in super slow motion. Brian Murgatroyd the UFL's English commentator pops down for a chat and gives me at least five obscure facts he has spent the last few days researching.  He says there is nothing like commentating on a free kick that fizzes in from 25 meters. This one matches the one he described from Danny Alves in the Brazil v Iran game, which is high praise indeed.

The second half begins with more of the same - Bani Yas dominating the play. Fawzi Bashir the Omani midfielder looks impressive as does Amer Abdurahman. The secret of Bani Yas' success is simple and is summed up in three words 'young, talented and hungry'. The squad contains five of the team that reached the final of the Asian Games. The goals fly in and a spectacular Mohammed Fawzi rifles home a volley. This prompts more black looks from the stand to my right. Sharjah pull one back only for Fawzi Bashir to go straight up the other end of the field and make it 4-1. The away supporters are now in overdrive having added two bagpipes to the band. The black looks turn slightly lighter as Sharjah pull back two goals in quick succession but the scoring is rounded off by Bani Yas in a 5-3 win. Outside of the stadium there's a small parade of Bani Yas fans led by a bagpiper. He leads the group past Sharjah's main stand in a show of bravado. They are not as boisterous on the way back to the bus as the thought of a three hour bus ride kicks in.

The result means the league table is starting to look like a two horse race, with the home grown talent of Bani Yas taking on the financial might of Al Jazira.