Sparky’s Column

Tales of the Unexpected

The golden generation has been celebrated within the confines of the UAE, with praise and prizes being heaped upon the young squad after their Gulf Cup triumph. The competition unsurprisingly does not create ripples outside of the GCC but the performance of the players did. I got a call from the BBC last week excitedly asking me about Omar Abdulrahman and his performances for Al Ain. The word is out on the young playmaker and in some circles he is considered the best player at a club that can boast an Asamoah Gyan at the peak of his powers. The more interest the wider world shows in the Pro League, the better for its profile, but more importantly it shows the quality has never been higher.

 

Football is a game of shocks, surprises and the unexpected. The shock of the Round, if not the season was Dibba Al Fujairah beating runaway leaders Al Ain. It was your typical 'backs to the wall', defend for your life-type performance to hang on for a 1-0 victory. Dibba remain bottom of the League but with a confidence boost like that, then maybe they can escape the drop. It should serve as a sharp reminder to Al Ain that they are not invincible and need to step up a gear if they are to retain the title.

 

Surprise of the week was the circumstances surrounding a coach's dismissal. Al Jazira closed the gap on the League leaders and cantered to a 4-1 victory over Al Dhafra. Coach Paulo Bonamigo should have been thinking 'job well done', but rather than spending his evening celebrating, he was packing his bags as he was relieved of his duties. He has been walking a tightrope for a good proportion of the season with Felix Magath hotly tipped to takeover at one point. The board wanted out with the Brazilian style and in with the Spanish, meaning Luis Milla is the latest Iberian import. The new man at the helm has promised a similar style of football to former club Barcelona. This is a big ask and has only ever been achieved at one club, the Catalan giants themselves.

 

The big game of the next round has become the unexpected biggest game of the season. Luis Milla has the chance to become an instant hero if he can guide Al Jazira to victory and with it top spot just a victory away.  Meanwhile in the Garden City, Coach Cosmin and his staff must be scratching their collective heads at last weeks loss leaving the club under pressure for the first time this season. The game is must-win for both teams and should make for a gripping encounter.