Latest chapter of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club v Al Ain rivalry to come in AGL match-week 2 – Sport360 News

An enlightening early taster of the 2020/21 Arabian Gulf League’s title race is expected on Friday night when last season’s runaway leaders Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club host Al Ain – the country’s most-decorated outfit.

A rip-roaring return to action, after seven-months away because of coronavirus, last weekend witnessed 29 goals scored across seven fixtures. Friday’s hosts at Rashid Stadium eased to a Carlos Eduardo-inspired 3-0 victory at Ittihad Kalba, while record 13-time champions Al Ain held off a spirited Khor Fakkan in their 2-0 triumph as former Sporting Lisbon and Braga forward Wilson Eduardo got off the mark for new employers.

These two outfits have shared six of the last eight top-flight titles, with their intense rivalry dominating UAE football. They were also separated by six points, with Al Ain second, when 2019/20 was halted in March.

“This is a match that is considered a Clasico between two big teams, who know each other well,” said Shabab Al Ahli boss Gerard Zaragoza.

“They participated in the AFC Champions League and their status is similar in the league by winning their first matches. The coaches and players love such confrontations.”

Prolific Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba, Kazakhstan captain Bauyrzhan Islamkhan and UAE forward Caio Canedo were all unavailable for Al Ain’s opener versus Khor Fakkan.

2018/19 winners Sharjah will also be out to leave a mark of their own in match-week two when they welcome Al Wahda – who opened with a 6-0 dismantling of Hatta – and Al Nasr’s acumen will be tested at Khor Fakkan.

Managerless Al Wasl, who parted ways with Laurentiu Reghecampf on Sunday, host Hatta on Thursday, while resurgent Bani Yas travel to Fujairah on the same night.

“We have a distinguished group of young and experienced players,” said Sky Blues boss Daniel Isaila. “We will work throughout the season to come up with a picture befitting the image of this team, and as you know, nothing is impossible in football.”

Ajman and Kalba must recover from poor starts when they meet on Friday and star-studded Al Jazira could hand a debut to Nigeria forward Imoh Ezekiel for Al Dhafra’s visit.

MATCH-WEEK 2 FIXTURES

Thursday

18:15 Fujairah v Bani Yas

18:15 Hatta v Al Wasl

21:00 Sharjah v Al Wahda

Friday

18:15 Khor Fakkan v Al Nasr

18:15 Al Jazira v Al Dhafra

21:00 Ajman v Ittihad Kalba

21:00 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club v Al Ain

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