DUBAI: Relentless leaders Al-Wasl heaped strain on Cosmin Olaroiu’s underperforming Sharjah, Spain icon Andres Iniesta’s sinking Emirates Club appeared doomed, and Farhad Majidi’s inconsistent Ittihad Kalba-reign was delivered to an ignominious finish throughout ADNOC Pro League’s matchweek 15.

Friday’s grandstand conflict in Dubai witnessed targets from Abdulrahman Saleh and excellent UAE attacker Ali Saleh to take care of Al-Wasl’s grip on their first title since 2006-07 with a 2-0 triumph, whereas pushing star-studded Sharjah 13 factors off the tempo.

On the identical night, Tunisia playmaker Haykeul Chikhaoui’s ferocious opener despatched enhancing Ajman on their solution to a 2-0 win which moved them 9 factors away from hazard and pushed Walter Zenga’s bottom-placed Emirates – enduring a 10-match shedding streak – eight factors from security.

Fellow promoted outfit Hatta confirmed struggle in a 5-3 reversal at AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al-Ain and third-placed holders Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club required an on the spot brace by substitute Yuri Cesar in an eventual 3-0 victory at 10-man Khor Fakkan.

Shambolic defending triggered Thirteenth-placed Kalba’s 2-1 loss to Al-Bataeh and was adopted by the exit of former Iran under-23 and Esteghlal boss Majidi after virtually two years on the helm. Ex-Brazil and Napoli defensive midfielder Allan netted an unlikely pair at hand Al-Wahda the Abu Dhabi Derby spoils in a pulsating 3-2 defeat for Mirel Radoi’s unconvincing Al-Jazira, whereas Alfred Schreuder’s flourishing Al-Nasr rose to sixth with a 1-0 triumph versus Baniyas – their fourth in 5 top-flight fixtures.

Here are Arab News’ prime picks and a speaking level from the newest motion.

Player of the week: Allan (Al-Wahda)

Al-Wahda supporters might have been tricked into pondering that they had landed Kaka, as a substitute of Allan.

Their skipper’s granite status was earned by way of successful numerous midfield battles in Serie A and the Premier League, quite than by means of artfully dispatched doubles.

Saturday’s sudden flip, nonetheless, made all of the distinction on dwelling soil after they welcomed floundering near-neighbors Al-Jazira to Al-Nahyan Stadium.

It was fairly the best way to open his ADNOC Pro League account, after being recruited again in September 2022.

A deft dummied shot and incisive strike by means of quite a few flailing Pride of Abu Dhabi-defenders made it 2-0 on 41 minutes. The 33-year-old had additionally clipped within the Seventeenth-minute free-kick from which on-form Iran midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi ultimately back-heel half-volleyed the opener.

Even higher was to come back previous the hour mark. By that time, a frantic derby had swung again towards the Pride of Abu Dhabi after ex-Fulham participant Neeskens Kebano struck twice to make it 2-2.

Allan’s stepover at tempo on the sting of the penalty field despatched retreating Moroccan teenager Mohammed Rabii off steadiness, previous to lashing into the roof of stranded UAE goalkeeper Ali Khaseif’s web. It was a becoming winner for a high-quality and high-drama conflict.

For fourth-placed Al-Wahda, January’s name to draft in former Ajman miracle-worker Goran Tufegdzic has been rewarded with seven factors from 9. Al-Jazira, in the meantime, are but to ignite since snaffling ex-Romania boss Radoi from Bataeh and slipped to seventh.

Goal of the week: Ali Saleh (Al-Wasl)

Whatever problem is put in entrance of Al-Wasl, they have the firepower to beat it.

Their ninth win from their final 10 top-flight outings was sealed by homegrown hero Saleh.

The 24-year-old collected UAE colleague Caio Canedo’s flicked header, composed himself after which curled previous helpless Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Al-Hosani from 20 yards. It was a lovely solution to produce a seventh objective contribution in 14 matches.

Al-Wasl stay in charge of their title future, eight-points forward of Al-Ain with a sport additional performed. It additionally feels more and more perplexing why Saleh was handed simply 210 minutes on the best way to the UAE’s dispiriting round-of-16 exit at 2023 Asian Cup.

Coach of the week: Daniel Isaila (Ajman)

A tremendous rescue job is being carried out by Daniel Isaila at Eleventh-placed Ajman.

Last season’s darkish horses in sixth spot had quickly declined to relegation certainties beneath Caio Zanardi. Friday’s consummate win towards Emirates featured 13 makes an attempt on course to the guests’ three, even with Iniesta beginning within the league for the primary time since Dec. 1.

Isaila has remodeled horizons since October’s rent. The acumen which developed outsiders Baniyas into shock 2020/21 runners-up has been transplanted at Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Stadium.

What to do with Olaroiu?

It isn’t unfair, or unkind, to anticipate much more from fifth-placed Sharjah.

Their third league lack of a befuddling marketing campaign has saved The King distant from the crown. A factors deficit counted in double digits with 11 matches nonetheless to play was not anticipated when the 2023-24 season kicked off.

It is an unbalanced crew which is performing under the sum of their components. Worryingly, serial trophy hoarder Olaroiu’s once-golden contact seems to be waning.

“I am not the one who makes the decisions regarding contracts with players,” was the Romanian’s pointed remark post-match, based on Dubai Sports.

What occurs subsequent is the obtrusive query.

Sharjah’s 11 at Zabeel Stadium contained ex-Barcelona and Juventus celebrity Miralem Pjanic, ex-Porto and Al-Hilal attacker Moussa Marega, 184-goal UAE veteran Sebastian Tagliabue, and South Korea’s World Cup 2022 performer Cho Yu-min. They boasted extra possession (55 p.c/45 p.c) and makes an attempt (14/12), but Al-Wasl’s larger need proved essential.

Last season’s disappointing seventh-place end was forgiven, amid an unprecedented sweep of 4 home trophies. This time period, nonetheless, has been stained by group-stage collapse within the AFC Champions League, quarter-final elimination within the ADIB Cup, a 6-2 humiliation to Shabab Al-Ahli within the UAE Super Cup, and failure to threaten within the ADNOC Pro League.

Schreuder’s ascendant Al-Nasr and Al-Ain await, both aspect of the worldwide break. This could possibly be a scenario careering towards breaking level.