Sparky’s Column

The Race for the Prize

Lucas Neil must be a happy man he is settled at new club Al Wasl and now nominated for Asian Player of the Year. He is the only player plying his trade in the gulf to be nominated. His opposition comes in the shape of two Iranians, one of which Ali Karami used to play in the UAE. Zheng Zhi and Lee Ken-Ho from China and South Korea respectively make up the other nominations. A rule change after a number of winners were not available to collect their prize means nominated players must be playing in Asia to be eligible, so the Al Wasl defender stands as good a chance as anybody to take the prize. 

 

The top of the table has the look of last season which is a rare sight. Al Ain were the last team to retain a title in 2004 and are on course to repeat the feat this season. Al Nasr are tucked in nicely behind The Boss and will be desperate to end twenty barren years.  The table mirroring what it did last season has one notable absentee and that Al Jazira, the club currently languishing in an unfamiliar mid table position. The pressure on coach Paulo Bonamigo seems to be building by the day and it goes with territory when managing one of the biggest clubs in the country. He could quietly go about the business of building a side that pushed for Champions League and would challenge in cup competitions. The move to Al Jazira comes with massive expectation for instant results. If the success isn't instant then questions are quickly asked and it seems Bonamigo is fast running out of answers. 

 

I have a soft spot for Dubai Club, tucked away in Al ,Awir they are the cities 5th club in size and budget but they are punching well above their weight at the moment. A grand total of 13 points keeps them above two of their city rivals. Richard Porta cruelly offloaded by Al Wasl has a point to prove and with 7 goals this season he is a man on a mission to show his previous employees what they are missing. Magrao who was the backbone of the Al Wahda midfield for three years was a tough tackling defensive player that adds steel to a side that all too often exposed a soft underbelly. I think survival will be comfortably within the teams reach and the bonus of a cup run would mean they are cemented in the countries elite.