Sparky’s Column

Music and Celebrations

 

The "Match of the Week" takes centre stage again with Al Wasl v Al Ain at Zabeel Stadium. The usual activities start pre match at 6:30pm with skills competitions on the mini pitch, face painting for the youngsters and a DJ providing the soundtrack. Kick off itself is at 8:30pm and the game is significant in so many ways. The focus off the pitch is Diego Armando Maradona, the little man is always big news. This week he declared that he could never leave his Al Wasl players for it then to be reported that he wanted the Bahrain national team job. It is always a media circus when Diego is involved and it shows no sign of abating.  When we look on the pitch then it is all eyes on Al Ain in their seemingly unstoppable charge towards the title. Victory at the weekend could with results going the right way elsewhere virtually seal the title for the men from the garden city. They could be overtaken on goal difference but with 10 more goals than their nearest rivals Al Shabab that is highly unlikely.  Asamoah Gyan has proved to be a sensational loan signing, he is the league's top scorer with 15 goals. The question should be how many more could he have scored if he didn't suffer a hamstring injury and take a month out to play in the African Cup of nations.

 

The midweek president's cup games heaped more misery on Sharjah's already dismal season. The 4-1 loss to Al Jazira means that 'The King' can concentrate on the desperate battle against relegation. The flipside for Jazira is that the club can add a silver lining to a season that was threatening to leave them empty handed.  Bani Yas came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Al Wahda. The result must be hugely satisfying for the club in a season that has been tinged by tragedy and turmoil. The neutrals choice to win the presidents cup will be Bani Yas as they look to put the difficulties of the past 8 months behind them. 

 

One of the more unusual stories of the week involved a couple of Emirati musicians who have made an ode to Maradona. The song recorded in Satwa Dubai is an Arabic Spanish number that has had 60,000 views on You Tube. You can check the video out via the link.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrkLUX6yY4w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Rumour has it that Maradona loves it and plays in his car with the windows down. If you spot him maybe you could let us know.