Sparky’s Column

Fight or flight

 

Fight or flight is nature's response to danger. Humans, if faced with a dangerous situation, will pump adrenalin into their system and be ready to fight or run away as quickly as their legs can carry them. Al Ain are faced with the prospect of relegation from the Etisalat Pro-League - the players are faced with the ultimate humiliation for such a successful club. In a display that would have done a UFC fighter proud, they beat a sorry Al Ahli side 4-0 on their own turf. Forget the flight because Al Ain have decided to fight. The performance sees them climb four points away from the relegation zone. Al Ahli again continue to struggle and lie in 8th position, which was definitely not in the plan before the start of the season. I saw a tweet in the week from the Club saying they were off to train on the beach. They played like players on a beach holiday against Al Ain. I get the feeling most of the players and staff are looking forward to the end of the season and rebuilding for the next campaign.

 

Emirates Club's performances in the AFC Champions League have been a surprise and unexpected pleasure. The tight little ground in RAK is always packed for the matches and they are the best supported UAE club in the competition. The team has put in some great performances buoyed by the passionate crowd. If you could single out one player from the team, then goalkeeper Ahmed Al Zaabi is the man. He produced a string of unbelievable saves in both the 1-0 loss to Zob Ahan and the win against Al Shabab. He has athleticism around the goal that I haven't seen in any other keeper in the UAE. I don't know if he will stay at Emirates Club but there are teams crying out for a keeper and they should look no further than the Northern Emirates.

 

This week former Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce was in the UAE as a pundit on Abu Dhabi TV's Premier League coverage. He had plenty to say off screen as well, revealing that he was approached about the Al Ahli job last summer but could not break his contract with Blackburn. It seems strange he should mention this now but maybe a clever move as well. He is obviously putting himself in the shop window for all clubs in the UAE. It's difficult to know if Al Ahli will again look towards the Premier League for their manager. Big Sam has a big reputation and it is a gamble for him to risk tarnishing it by coaching in the UAE where a lot of coaches do not survive after back to back defeats. We will all just have to wait and see if Sam will be swapping cold Northern England for the beaches of Dubai, but if it happens remember where you heard it first.