UAE Pro League: Stalemates at the top as Shabab Al-Ahli maintain lead

UAE Pro League: Stalemates at the top as Shabab Al-Ahli maintain lead
Al-Wasl's Fabio Lima (right) celebrates scoring against Al-Wahda (Twitter/@UAEProLeague)
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Updated 29 January 2023

UAE Pro League: Stalemates at the top as Shabab Al-Ahli maintain lead

UAE Pro League: Stalemates at the top as Shabab Al-Ahli maintain lead
  • Leaders draw 0-0 in Sharjah, while Al-Wahda and Al-Wasl play out 3-3 cracker

 

DUBAI: Spoils were shared in contrasting meetings when the ADNOC Pro League’s top four all clashed, and fallen giants Al-Nasr recorded a vital victory in their shock fight against relegation.

Saturday’s helter-skelter matchweek 14 finale witnessed Al-Wahda and Al-Wasl play out a thrilling 3-3 draw, settled in the final throes by UAE veteran Sebastian Tagliabue’s penalty for the hosts.

A more mundane affair had played out in Friday’s goalless summit meeting between second-placed Sharjah and leaders Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club.

At the opposite end of the table, Morocco playmaker Adel Taarabt headed home the only goal when third-bottom Al-Nasr beat second-bottom Al-Dhafra to open up a four-point buffer to safety.

Gaston Alvarez’s wonder strike earned a 2-1 triumph for the 10-men of Baniyas at a sodden Khor Fakkan; Ittihad Kalba — who had Abdulaziz Al-Hamhami dismissed — collapsed to a 2-2 draw versus promoted Al-Bataeh courtesy of two late spot-kicks; and Al-Jazira icon Ali Mabkhout converted from 12 yards as they edged bottom-placed Dibba Al-Fujairah 1-0.

Inconsistent holders Al-Ain exhibited the imperious form of old in their 5-1 dismantling of Ajman, fuelled by braces from Ukraine maestro Andriy Yarmolenko and unstoppable Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba.

Here are Arab News’ top picks and a talking point from the latest action.

 

Player of the Week — Fabio De Lima (Al-Wasl)

A big performance, in a big match, from the peerless Fabio De Lima.

The UAE forward produced a pair of equalizers to make it 2-2 in Abu Dhabi. A scruffy first was indebted to a generous deflection off Al-Wahda goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Shamsi’s legs, but his athletic jump and precise header for the second spoke of innate ability.

He then teed up ex-Argentina youth international Tomas Chancalay moments later for his superb 83rd-minute effort from distance. This season’s fourth-placed dark horses believed they had gained an epic victory, only for Tagliabue’s penalty 10 minutes later to put paid to that thought.

However, it should not detract from another sublime display by one of the professional era’s defining players.

De Lima was an unknown Brazilian attacker, barely out of his teens, when he joined Al-Wasl on loan in July 2014.

He now stands as an established, 29-year-old UAE international, with 141 top-flight goals in 181 run-outs. Only Mabkhout (196), Tagliabue (176) and fellow Al-Wasl legend Fahd Khamees (175) have registered more.

Few predicted a title chase for Al-Wasl when 2022-23 began with a torrent of stellar signings, across the division. Yet, the Dubai club’s summer hire of ex-Saudi Arabia tactician Juan Antonio Pizzi looks the most astute.

De Lima is, unquestionably, the fulcrum during this unlikely pursuit of a first top-flight title in 16 years.

 

Goal of the Week — Gaston Suarez (Baniyas)

A reminder of enduring class, propelled from 30 yards.

Ninth-placed Baniyas’ innocuous season has owed much to perennial failings at center forward. Plus, surprising anonymity from their typically influential Argentines.

Nicolas Gimenez and Gaston Suarez helped fuel the 2020-21 campaign’s unforeseen near miss for the title, then were rare beacons of light in the dreary season which followed. They had both, though, been dragged back to the median this term.

It was not the case at Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi Stadium where Jimenez scored a penalty and Suarez struck from range.

With the rain bucketing down, Suarez took one touch to tee himself up 30 yards from goal and unleashed a firecracker which swerved into the top corner.

This was a vital intervention. Full-back Joao Victor was soon sent off and Angola striker Fabio Abreu netted to give the hosts hope.

 

Coach of the Week — Goran Tomic (Al-Nasr)

It was a case of “better late than never” for Al-Nasr’s Croatian supremo.

Tomic, finally, tasted top-flight victory at the fifth time of asking, in a contest from which the UAE’s oldest club could not countenance defeat.

Such a reversal would have sent them tumbling into the relegation places. Even a draw would have kept the gap at an increasingly uncomfortable one point to a Al-Dhafra side who appear inspired by the January additions of Bulgaria midfielder Georgi Milanov and bustling Brazilian center forward Tiago Leonco.

But a disciplined Al-Nasr appeared at a nervous Al-Maktoum Stadium. They restricted the visitors to zero shots on target and 43 percent possession, with this first league clean sheet of Tomic’s era gaining full reward after Taarabt’s fortuitous effort.

Ailing Ajman and Khor Fakkan are up next, before next mid February’s Bur Dubai Derby with Al-Wasl. Momentum must be turned into more points.

 

Are we belatedly beginning to see the real Yarmolenko?

It is not unfair to say the season has not turned out as expected for both champions Al-Ain and their marquee pre-season addition.

Global headlines were written when Yarmolenko reunited with compatriot Serhiy Rebrov in the Garden City. This closed the chapter — for now — on a European club career spent at Dynamo Kiev, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United.

It also began a flood of incredible additions by UAE clubs.

The enigmatic Yarmolenko had, however, failed to convert reputation into consistent excellence during the first half of an often-troubled season. Disquiet was posted by venting fans online and rumors emerged of interest from Turkish Super Lig winners Trabzonspor.

But a sea change appears under way for 2023. It is one which could yet turn his procurement into a bountiful success.

His brace versus Ajman made it three strikes in two matches — one fewer than his total from the preceding 12 top-flight run-outs. That is now eight goals in two games from Al-Ain, who have emphatically snapped a draining three-match run of draws.

This round’s pair of stalemates at the top show there is no clear title favorite. Could an improved Yarmolenko inspire Al-Ain to strike from sixth, now just four points off the pace?


Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena

Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena
Updated 28 min 48 sec ago

Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena

Roshn Saudi League stars square off in international arena
  • Portuguese legend and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo will face Al-Wehda and Luxembourg striker Gerson Rodriguez
  • Morocco’s Abdelrazzaq Hamdallah and Mounir Al-Mohammadi will face Peru’s Andre Carrillo and Christopher Gonzalez

RIYADH: Six foreign stars of the Roshn Saudi League are expected to line out against each other in two international matches at the end of March. 

Portugal play Luxembourg on March 26 in the first round of qualifiers for Euro 2024, bringing together Portuguese legend and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Wehda striker Gerson Rodriguez, who will line out in the colors of Luxembourg. 

Four foreign players from the Roshn Saudi League will play in a friendly match between Morocco and Peru on March 29.

Abdelrazzaq Hamdallah of Al-Ittihad and Mounir Al-Mohammadi of Al-Wehda will line out for Morocco, while Andre Carrillo of Al-Hilal and Christopher Gonzalez from Al-Adalah will face them in the colours of Peru.


Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34
Updated 22 March 2023

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34
  • Özil said injuries played a role in his decision
  • His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir

ISTANBUL: Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil, who won the World Cup in 2014, retired from soccer Wednesday at the age of 34.
Özil said injuries played a role in his decision.
“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity,” Özil wrote on social media. “But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”
His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, where he made only seven appearances for the team.
Özil won the Spanish league title with Real Madrid in 2012 and the FA Cup four times with Arsenal. His international career ended abruptly in 2018 when he quit the Germany squad citing “racism and disrespect.”
That followed anti-Turkish comments from German politicians and abuse from some fans toward Özil, who has Turkish heritage, amid criticism of his decision to pose for a picture with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the run-up to the 2018 World Cup.
Özil started his career in Germany with hometown club Schalke before a good spell at Werder Bremen earned him a spot on the German national team. Standout performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup were followed by a move to Madrid. He then had an eight-year stint with Arsenal.
Özil moved to Turkish club Fenerbahce in 2021 after his relationship with Arsenal broke down. He was left out of the Arsenal squad for months before his departure following a rift with manager Mikel Arteta. The club also distanced itself from Özil for posting his support for Muslims in the Xinjiang province of China, comments which led to an Arsenal game being pulled from Chinese television.


Argentina must retain competitive edge after World Cup win says Scaloni

Argentina must retain competitive edge after World Cup win says Scaloni
Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni speaks during a press conference in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires. AFP
Updated 22 March 2023

Argentina must retain competitive edge after World Cup win says Scaloni

Argentina must retain competitive edge after World Cup win says Scaloni
  • “We are world champions, but that doesn’t mean we have the right for more, just because we win we can’t do whatever we want,” he told a news conference

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said his players need to maintain their high competitive level after beating France on penalties to win the country’s third World Cup in Qatar last year.
Ahead of Thursday’s friendly against Panama, Scaloni spoke about the squad that will feature captain Lionel Messi and the rest of the players who were crowned champions on Dec. 18.
“We are world champions, but that doesn’t mean we have the right for more, just because we win we can’t do whatever we want, that’s what they (the players) have to understand,” he told a news conference.
The coach said his main objective at this stage, after winning the Copa America, ‘Finalissima’ and World Cup, is for the players to understand that they must remain competitive.
“The message is that a new process is beginning: the pitch is what rules; from there on those who are world champions have no advantage, we will have to keep working,” he said.
“The Argentina shirt doesn’t allow you not to give your best, that’s clear to us. Afterwards, it’s good to celebrate, but we have to do our job on the pitch.”
Regarding the lineup for Thursday’s game, Scaloni said that those players who took the field in the World Cup final will start. “I’d like for people to watch their players,” he added.
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and Sevilla forward Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez, who was unable to travel to Argentina on the instructions of the Spanish club, are the two notable absentees from the squad due to injury.
Meanwhile, the 44-year-old Scaloni, named FIFA men’s coach of the year in February, said the debate over whether he manages the best Argentina team in history is pointless.
“We all play for Argentina, we are world champions, who cares who is the best or the worst,” he added.
Argentina also won the World Cup in 1978 on home soil and in 1986 in Mexico led by captain Diego Maradona.
The first match for the “Scaloneta” team since the World Cup triumph will be played in a party atmosphere after celebrations with the players planned for last year could not take place as millions of fans congregated in downtown Buenos Aires.
The crowd congestion led to the squad abandoning their open-top bus parade and flying over the crowd by helicopter.


Adidas launches all-new Saudi Arabian Football Federation home, away jerseys

Adidas launches all-new Saudi Arabian Football Federation home, away jerseys
The home jersey embodies the country’s growth, vitality, and prosperity with a touch of gold-like accents. supplied
Updated 22 March 2023

Adidas launches all-new Saudi Arabian Football Federation home, away jerseys

Adidas launches all-new Saudi Arabian Football Federation home, away jerseys
  • Green home jersey inspired by palm tree featured in national emblem
  • Women’s national team kit features unique design variation in week they receive first ever FIFA world ranking

Riyadh: Adidas has kicked off its partnership with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation with the official launch of the national team’s home and away jerseys.

Inspired by the palm tree featured in the national emblem, the home jersey embodies the country’s growth, vitality, and prosperity with a touch of gold-like accents, adding elegance and a premium feel that will standout both on and off the field.

The women’s national team will be wearing a slightly different jersey to the men’s, with the home kit featuring a unique variation of the same palm tree-inspired design.

It coincides with the women’s team achieving another major milestone by becoming an official FIFA-ranked nation for the first time in their history, further showcasing the federation’s commitment to the growth and development of women’s football in the Kingdom.

The jerseys celebrate Saudi Arabia’s relationship between culture and football. supplied

The white away jersey features dark green sleeves inspired by the country’s flag, with the iconic adidas three stripes in gold. Both jerseys celebrate Saudi Arabia’s relationship between culture and football.

Working together toward a common goal and vision, adidas cements the launch of the new kits with its Weaved as One campaign, which pays homage to the fabric of Saudi culture while simultaneously highlighting themes of unity within football communities and beyond.

The campaign film follows men’s national team players Mohammed Al-Owais, Hassan Tambakti, Hattan Bahebri, and Abdulelah Al-Amri and women’s national team players Farah Jefry, Al-Bandari Mubarak, and Dalia Adel as they journey through Riyadh to present the official jersey to members of diverse communities that make up the DNA of Saudi heritage and sports culture.

From the camel herding community of northern Riyadh who have dedicated their lives to one of the oldest sports in the nation, to the women making waves at the forefront of the motorsports and rally racing industry, and finally the city’s passionate gaming and e-sports enthusiasts – each community was presented with the opportunity to be among the first to wear the jersey as a symbol of togetherness.

The kit launch is the first in a four-year partnership between adidas and the SAFF at a time when football continues to grow at all levels throughout the country.

The jerseys celebrate Saudi Arabia’s relationship between culture and football. supplied

The men’s team performed on the world’s biggest stage with their 2-1 win over Argentina at the FIFA World Cup, while the under-23 team won the 2022 Asian Cup while conceding zero goals.

Last year also saw the establishment of three new age groups (U-16, U-18, and U-19) as part of the Kingdom’s investment in establishing a clear player pathway to the first team.

In addition to the women’s team being a FIFA-ranked nation for the first time, the growth of women’s football will be further enhanced through the introduction of a U-17 team.

Both the home and away kits feature sweat-wicking, moisture-absorbent technology, and specially placed breathable mesh inserts. The range is also made using 100 percent recycled materials.

Bilal Faris, adidas general manager for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, said: “Inspired from the Kingdom’s national emblem, the palm tree, we have ensured that the design of the jerseys embody the country’s goals and growth.

“Through our partnership, we strive to support the federation’s strategy to enhance access to sports for the country and support emerging talents.

“As we celebrate the intrinsic relationship between Saudi culture and football, it’s a collection that I’m hoping players and fans can wear with huge pride, on and off the pitch,” Faris added.

The jerseys celebrate Saudi Arabia’s relationship between culture and football. supplied

On the arrival of the new Green Falcons kit, SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal, said: “We’re extremely proud to usher in this new era for Saudi football with the famous three stripes of adidas emblazoned upon our men’s and women’s national team kits.

“They are a symbol of unity and inspiration, and to see our men, women, boys and girls players, and fans wearing it as one – side to side, shoulder to shoulder – is exactly how football should be.

“In adidas, we have a partner that places equal importance to the women’s national team, which reflects how we operate at the federation. Together we are excited to continue building on the strong momentum of Saudi football across both the men’s and women’s game, while inspiring millions of young footballers along the way,” Al-Misehal added.

The home and away jerseys will be available on adidas.com and at select adidas retailers from March 23.


Yas Heat Racing Academy begins search for future karting stars

Yas Heat Racing Academy begins search for future karting stars
Updated 22 March 2023

Yas Heat Racing Academy begins search for future karting stars

Yas Heat Racing Academy begins search for future karting stars
  • Yas Marina Circuit-based racing academy will host 3 open days on Yas KartZone track from March 25
  • Promising talent will earn spots on the grid at the Yas Heat Racing Championship later this year

ABU DHABI: Yas Heat Racing Academy has announced its first official Yas Heat Racing Karting Open Day on March 25 as part of the team’s search for the fastest young talent to join the karting team in 2023.

Based at the Yas Marina Circuit track on Yas Island, the academy was formed in November 2022 ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and is led by rookie drivers Matteo Quintarelli and Keanu Al-Azhari — who both scored podium finishes on the team’s debut racing weekend.

After an impressive first season competing in the F4 UAE Championship in early 2023, the academy is hosting three official open days in the hope of finding future stars of racing to join the first Yas Heat Karting team this year.

Following the first open day on March 18, karters aged eight to 12 can register for upcoming official open days, with the fastest drivers around the Yas Kartzone track being selected to compete in the Yas Heat Racing Karting Championship.

Matthew Norman, team manager of the Yas Heat Racing Academy, said: “After such a promising start to the year with the academy’s debut season in the F4 UAE Championship, we are delighted to announce the first official Yas Heat Karting Racing Open Days as we continue to search for the brightest and best young drivers across the UAE.

“It’s no secret that the world’s most elite superstars, including those we see each weekend lining up on the Formula One grid, all started their racing journeys through karting, and we hope to find some exciting new talent to join our academy following the new Yas Heat Racing Karting Championship coming later in 2023. We look forward to welcoming the new era of young drivers joining us at the circuit this weekend.”

With the goal to produce homegrown drivers at Yas Marina Circuit and provide young talented drivers with a clear and defined career pathway — from grassroots all the way up to the world stage of motorsport — the Yas Heat Racing Academy aims to inspire the next generation of local UAE racing stars to pursue their dreams, from karting through to FIA-accredited competitions.

The next official Yas Heat Karting Open Day will take place on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. at Yas Kartzone, with further Open Days to come from Saturday, April 1.