Sparky’s Column

Goals Galore!

 

If football is all about goals then the Etisalat Pro League was the place to be this week. The round of fixtures saw the net bulge 26 times. The pick of the games has to be Al Shabab versus Ajman. A 4-4 score line is a rarity in football and even rarer when two penalties are missed. Ciel is an enigma, brilliant one minute not so the next. The Brazilian managed an assist, followed by two penalty misses and to cap it all he was dismissed with 10 minutes left in the match.  The draw though was an opportunity missed for Al Shabab to cement second place one of which Al Nasr took full advantage. Walter Zenga had been criticized by certain sections of his own fans prior to the win over Al Jazira. The team silenced any critics with an emphatic 5-1 win away at Al Jazira. The former champions are fading fast in the league and you get the idea that the team have one eye on the Champions League. If Zenga's men can hang onto second place it will be an improvement on last season's third fully vindicating his methods.

 

The other manager that has been in the press this week and every other week come to think of it is of course Maradona. The team backed up his comments about needing reinforcements by limping to a 2-0 loss at home to Al Wahda. The home from home was Al Nasr's ground as the club were once again having to serve out a home stadium ban. Diego has said he is staying at Al Wasl next season, this will no doubt fill fans and journalists hearts with glee.

 

Asamoah Gyan is now tantalising close to the 20 goals in a season mark. The Ghanaian's brace against Emirates FC continues a streak that shows no sign of letting up. He has two games left to hit the 20 goal mark and I am sure all the smart money is on him achieving it with room to spare.

 

The phrase too big to go down has never really applied in football. Manchester United were relegated in the mid 70's, River Plate were relegated in Argentina last season and Newcastle United have only just recovered from the drop two seasons ago. It looks extremely likely now Sharjah will go down this season. The final matches of the season mean the club have to rely on Dubai and Emirates club not gaining any points. It does not look good for "The King" and they are now 180 minutes from being dethroned.