Sparky’s Column

What goes Down Must Come Up

 

The inevitable has happened with Sharjah's drop into the first division. The whole thing had a horrible inevitability about it as the club lurched from one crisis to another. The key now is that the club can bring some stability both on and off the field for next season. They can look to their crosstown rivals Al Shaab to see the 1st division is not that easy to climb out of once you are there.  Al Shaab have just finished 3rd in the second tier and will have to wait another year for a return to the top division.

It has not been the greatest season for Al Wasl but the strangest thing has been Maradona's men's performances against Dubai club. They have conceded 15 in the fixtures this season against the perennial relegation candidates. The only bright spot was a 3-0 victory but if Dubai survive then the points they took off Al Wasl will be the most vital. We still don't know who will be going down from Dubai or Emirates Club that will wait until after the final game but we do now know the replacements for next season. Kalba make a return to the Pro league after just one season out of the top division, Dibba Al Fujairah also make the jump.

Al Nasr are just one point away from finishing second in the table and fully vindicating the clubs decision to stick with Walter Zenga.  This will be an improvement on last season's 3rd position and a big jump from the pre Zenga era when the club was hovering around the lower reaches of the table. If the Italian is to truly leave his mark at the club then he must secure some silverware before he ends his run in the UAE. The next season will be crucial in his progress as coach and for the clubs overall development.

Asamoah Gyan has hit the 20 goal mark with a game to spare and met with the press this week to talk about his future. The inevitable question came up about his future. The striker sidestepped a definitive answer as to his future in the UAE. He was vague when it came to committing to Al Ain. He said he was happy in the country now his family had joined him and he was pleased with his form this season for Al Ain. I would say he dealt with the press as skillfully as he does his opponents on the pitch. He is due to negotiate a move away from Sunderland and this means a permanent contract with whichever club. The last thing you want to be doing is laying your cards out on the table. The Ghanaian's cagey approach in the press conference could well just be the start of his negotiations to stay in the UAE.