Sparky’s Column

UAE Football on a Roll

 

The good times are here in UAE football with the final of the Gulf Cup looming large and a number of the squad being young players the future looks bright. The last Gulf Cup victory shone the spotlight on a UAE football and brought it to the attention of the huge expat community here. I remember the team parading alongside the F1 drivers at the launch of the Abu Dhabi grand prix. Any victory can only reflect on the Pro League and boost its profile amongst the expat community we are so keen to engage.

Footballers do not generally get good publicity off the field, many consider them overpaid and underworked with is often unfair. It was great to see the Al Ahli engage with the community when they invited the kids from Emirates Autism Society in to meet and greet the players. It is part of an initiative which will see the kids at matches where they will be collecting donations, starting at the match versus Al Ahli on the 21st January. So if you see them be sure to help them out.

The transfer window is wide open with players moving in and out at a pace. Here is a round up of what's has happened so far:

Al Wahda have signed Australian defender Dino Djublic who comes in from Chinese  club Guizhou Renhe

Ricardo Quaresma the highest profile signing came in as a free agent to boost Al Ahli.

Former national team keeper Mutaz Abdulla and Al Nasr fullback Saeed Mubarak have joined Al Shaab to boost the clubs push to stay in the Pro League.

Ittihad Kalba have signed Zimbabwean Sadomba from Al Hilal, that’s the Sudanese version of the team, he arrives on a 6 month deal.

Ajman welcome Moroccan Olympic caption Driss Mohammed Fettouhi.

It wasn't just David Beckham who has left LA Galaxy, Christian Wilhelmsson joins Bani Yas from the world most glamourous team.

Al Ahli sign Emirati player Adnan Hussain on a 4 year deal from Bani Yas.

The Asian import for Al Nasr comes in from Italy, Japanese Morimoto gets to team up with Walter Zenga once more.

The latest player to come in could be Paulo Aimar,  the player would become Al Ahli's latest big name signing as they aim to wrestle the title from Al Ain. There will be plenty more in and out of the window before it slams shut.