Sparky’s Column

Sideline with sparky

Football is a sport that is built on a passion rarely replicated in everyday life. The range of emotions a fan will feel is something akin to a rollercoaster If you could bottle the best moments and sell it, then the preseason feeling would be the one. Everyone shares the hope and belief that the new season will be just that little bit better than the last. Depending on who you support it could be you hope it is a lot better. That first walk towards the stadium just minutes before kick off you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, theres butterflys in the stomach and you know football is back at the centre of your world.

All the teams in the 2010/11 season will have reason to be hopeful. Al Ahli have gained most of the headlines. The changes in the hierarchy at the club have been far reaching and reflected on the pitch.  If you haven't heard about Cannavaro's signing then I can only assume you went away for the whole of summer on vacation.  In fact change that you would have to be alone because even goats have heard the news. The former world player of the year is the biggest signing since George Weah by Al Jazira in the early part of the decade. He was quickly followed into the club by David O'Leary and his coaching team. This is a real statement of intent by the club to reach the heights of two years ago.

Champions Al Wahda have quietly gone about their pre season business. They have lost coach Hickersberger to the Bahrain national team and one of their star performers Pinga has joined Al Ahli. They still have Ismail Matter and the goal machine that is Bianno. If they can retain the title it will buck the trend of the difficult second season after winning titles.

Al Jazira have for three seasons finished runners up and in many ways have been the most consistent performers in the league. They have the best stadium, the best facilities and often the biggest signings. They will be desperate to make that final step to win the title.

The new boys to the division with be Dubai and Ittihad Kalba. Dubai are the yo-yo club of the last few years they have been in and out of the top division. They will be hoping for an extended stay this time around. Ittihad will be happy with survival.

Sharjah will be looking to build upon a great second half of last season but have been rocked by boardroom unrest. The new people at the top will have to make sure they can build upon last seasons progress.

The trio of Dubai clubs Al Wasel, Al Shabab and Al Nasr will be desperate to get back on track after a few seasons of unrest. Two of the three have befallen the curse that seems to afflict champions of the UAE. Title triumph has been followed by the mediocrity of mid table in the following season.

Al Ain are the club in the unique position of being the only club in a city of 250,000 people. They are usually the best supported by partizan fans who always make it a difficult place to visit.

The final two teams to look out for sit in small town and have overachieved for their size. Baniyas spent a proportion of last season playing their home games in Al Ain whilst they waited for a new stadium to be finished. Al Dhafra are based 200km outside of Abu Dhabi the team train in the capital and commute to home games.

The new season is nearly here and it promises to be interesting, emotional with the occasional surprise thrown in.

Mark Pendergast
Mark@theonionbag.net