UAE Pro League review: Al-Wasl crush Al-Bataeh to go 5 points clear of nearest rivals

Al-Wasl's 4-1 win over Al-Bataeh sees them go five points clear at the top of the UAE Pro League table. (X/@UAEProleague_En)
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Updated 03 December 2023
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UAE Pro League review: Al-Wasl crush Al-Bataeh to go 5 points clear of nearest rivals

  • Matches involving second-placed Al-Ain and third-placed Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai were postponed until Dec. 20 due to AFC Champions League commitments

Leaders Al-Wasl’s storming campaign continued with an affirmative thrashing of Al-Bataeh and Alfred Schreuder’s Al-Nasr debut finished in frustration during ADNOC Pro League’s truncated matchweek nine.

Ivorian youngster Adama Diallo’s excellent brace helped the unbeaten Cheetahs to a 4-1 victory, adding further veracity to dreams of ending their pained wait for an eighth top-flight trophy since their success in 2006-07.

Al-Wasl now hold a five-point lead, because of AFC Champions League commitments delaying until Dec. 20 second-placed Al-Ain’s match against Khor Fakkan, and third-placed holders Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club’s trip to continental contenders Sharjah.

A second-half penalty from 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khrbin, meanwhile, saw fourth-placed Al-Wahda earn their 1-1 draw against ex-Al-Ain and Ajax supremo Schreuder’s Nasr. Jamal Maroof’s 97th-minute spot-kick for bottom-placed Hatta curtailed third-bottom Ajman celebrations in their dramatic 1-1 stalemate, while resurgent Iran starlet Mehdi Ghayedi had a hand in all four goals when Andres Iniesta’s sinking Emirates Club were beaten 4-2 by Ittihad Kalba.

UAE legend Ali Mabkhout got a brace as Al-Jazira produced a much-needed 4-1 derby beating of neighbours Baniyas.

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

 

Player of the week: Mehdi Ghayedi (Ittihad Kalba)

Ghayedi had gone from Asia’s golden boy, to an unfulfilled afterthought.

The diminutive attacker with magic in his boots appeared to have the world at his feet after becoming AFC Best Young Player of the Year in 2020. A switch to Shabab Al-Ahli in the following summer was meant to take his game to another level, with this pathway having previously helped send exalted compatriot Ali Karimi to Bayern Munich back in 2005.

Ghayedi’s forgettable 2021-22 season was followed by sparks of life returning to his play on loan at former club Esteghlal. These reached full luminescence in a sensational display for latest temporary employers, Kalba, during victory against Emirates.

The now 24-year-old moved onto seven goal contributions in nine league run-outs under former mentor Farhad Majidi, thanks to a well-taken brace. Added influence was supplied by winning penalties ably converted by the superb Daniel Bessa and Andres Vombergar.

Ghayedi featured in June’s inaugural CAFA Nations Cup, but has since been ignored by Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei. If he can continue to inspire Kalba’s rise up the standings from their current ninth during a packed December, a way back in may be found for the Asian Cup.

 

Goal of the week: Adama Diallo (Al-Wasl)

A star is on the ascendancy at Zabeel Stadium.

Diallo has gone from unheralded youngster, to keeping veteran Switzerland striker Haris Seferovic out of the XI and being tipped for naturalisation by the UAE.

The 21-year-old Ivorian produced a mesmerising double in a dominant victory over dark-horses Bataeh, with the 16th-minute opener especially outstanding.

Slipped behind the midfield by Nicolas Gimenez, there was still 40 yards+ to goal from the left flank. Lightning acceleration allied with tight control took him beyond a trio of retreating Bataeh defenders, before smashing into the near post’s bottom corner.

Diallo — who later delivered a deft Fabio De Lima-esque curled finish — now sits on four strikes in eight ADNOC Pro League run-outs this season, averaging out at one every 92 minutes.

 

Coach of the week: Frank de Boer (Al-Jazira)

Frank de Boer managed to find the release valve, just as pressure began to build toward dangerous levels.

A 4-2 chasing by surging Wasl in matchweek eight left a richly talented Jazira well off the pace in eighth. Their nine-point gap to top spot remains, but impressive victory at Baniyas Stadium provides a superior gloss in fifth.

The Pride of Abu Dhabi lived up to their nickname via a virtuoso display by Mabkhout, moving onto a record-extending 213 goals in 286 top-flight run-outs with a tremendous brace.

Host left-back Joao Victor’s 34th-minute red card ensured 68 percent possession and a shot count of 24/11 favoured the visitors.

That this fine work was supplemented by ex-Fulham star Neeskens Kebano netting his second Jazira goal, a pair of assists from winger Oumar Traore and UAE matchwinner Abdullah Ramadan getting involved at club level speaks volume of the vast potential contained within De Boer’s ranks.

A generous end to 2023 in the league pits the Netherlands great against the current bottom three, in descending order. A perfect, nine-point haul — plus, progress in ADIB Cup’s quarter-finals versus bitter-rivals Wahda — would thrust Jazira right into the trophy mix.

De Boer collected ample silverware when employed as manager at Ajax and Atlanta United, despite a mixed record elsewhere.

This pedigree is unquestionable. So, too, the squad depth at his disposal.

Jazira’s foreign quintet is enviable, while six members of Paulo Bento’s victorious UAE roster hail from there.

Baniyas may have witnessed the start of another trophy charge in De Boer’s intermittently glittering managerial career.

 

Are Al-Wasl the real deal?

These are good times at Wasl.

ADNOC Pro League’s only unbeaten side have taken more points than any other in the last five matches, have triumphed in their last five outings in all competitions and swept the latest “The Best” monthly awards. They have netted six more goals than any other club and boast the joint-third meanest defence.

This form is underpinned by belief head coach Milos Milojevic can replicate in Dubai his prior double-winning campaign at Red Star Belgrade.

Wasl are, though, stung by recent memories. Strong starts under the likes of Juan Antonio Pizzi and Rodolfo Arruabarrena faded into obscurity.

The 21st century has not been kind to this storied club. But, the same was said of Sharjah ahead of 2018/19’s surprise title success.


Isak fires Newcastle to victory at struggling Spurs

Updated 05 January 2025
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Isak fires Newcastle to victory at struggling Spurs

  • Spurs’ ambition of a top- four finish already looks over after a run of one win in eight league games since a stunning 4-0 victory at Premier League champions Manchester City.
  • Tottenham sit 11th in the table, but a spirited performance from Postecoglou’s stretched squad deserved more as Newcastle were left clinging on in the closing stages.

LONDON: Under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said he was angry his injury-ravaged side did not get their rewards for a battling performance as Alexander Isak’s strike earned in-form Newcastle a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Both sides struck inside the first six minutes as Anthony Gordon’s controversial equalizer canceled out Dominic Solanke’s opener for Spurs. Isak then scored for the seventh consecutive Premier League game to claim a sixth straight win in all competitions for Newcastle.

The Magpies remain in fifth but move level on points with fourth- placed Chelsea in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League. Spurs’ ambition of a top-four finish already looks over after a run of one win in eight league games since a stunning 4-0 victory at Premier League champions Manchester City.

Tottenham sit 11th in the table, but a spirited performance from Postecoglou’s stretched squad deserved more as Newcastle were left clinging on in the closing stages.

“I’m so proud, so happy with this group of players the way they played and I’m really angry that they didn’t get the rewards they deserved today,” said Postecoglou.

“I loved everything. The players were given an enormous task and didn’t make any excuses. We deserved to win the game today.”

Spurs were without first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario along with defenders Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies through injury plus the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur.

The loss of stand-in ‘keeper Fraser Forster to illness meant Postecoglou was forced to throw in Brandon Austin for his Spurs debut.

Slow starts, particularly at home, have been a major part of Spurs’ struggles under Postecoglou but they got off to a flyer. In front of the watching new England manager Thomas Tuchel, Solanke did his case for international recognition no harm with a fine downward header from Pedro Porro’s cross on four minutes.

The lead lasted barely over two minutes, albeit the equal- izer arrived in controversial circumstances.

Joelinton blocked Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his arm to gift Bruno Guimaraes possession and the Brazilian fed in Gordon to fire home. However, a VAR review deemed Joelinton’s handball was not deliberate and the goal stood. Isak needs no help to find the net on current form but got it from an under-manned Spurs defense seven minutes before half-time.

Radu Dragusin deflected Jacob Murphy’s low cross onto the foot of the Swedish striker, who took his tally for the season to 14 goals in all competitions.

Spurs were dealt a further blow as Dragusin, who had been a doubt due to illness, was forced off at the break, leaving Postecoglou without a single natural center back to choose from.

Midfielder Archie Gray and fullback Djed Spence deputized manfully as Tottenham did all the pressing in the second half.

Brennan Johnson blasted off the post after Pape Sarr’s effort had been parried by Martin Dubravka.

 


Victor Wembanyama after 100 NBA games: As he turned 21, his numbers are staggering

Updated 05 January 2025
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Victor Wembanyama after 100 NBA games: As he turned 21, his numbers are staggering

  • Wembanyama is the seventh player in the last 45 years to have that many points through his first 100 games
  • Wembanyama is the first player since O'Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21

Victor Wembanyama's days as a 20-year-old in the NBA are over. He turned 21 on Saturday.
And on the final day before that birthday, Wembanyama hit another milestone — 100 NBA games.
A look at where the San Antonio star ranks in certain statistical categories, at both his age and at the 100-game mark of his career.
Points: 2,278
Wembanyama is the seventh player in the last 45 years to have that many points through his first 100 games, joining Michael Jordan (2,721), Zion Williamson (2,524), David Robinson (2,476), Shaquille O’Neal (2,427), Luka Doncic (2,332) and Terry Cummings (2,305).
He's the 12th player to score that many points before turning 21. LeBron James — with 4,649, in 186 games before his 21st birthday — leads that list.
Wembanyama's 35 points on Friday in a win over Denver pushed his career average to 22.7 points, just a sliver ahead of where Kevin Durant was before turning 21. The only players with at least 50 games who averaged more points before turning 21: Williamson (25.7), James (25.0), Doncic (24.2) and O’Neal (24.0).
Rebounds: 1,053
Wembanyama is the first player since O'Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21.
O'Neal averaged 24 points and 14.2 rebounds in 54 games before that birthday. Wembanyama is averaging 22.7 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Assists: 386
Plenty of players have had that many assists before turning 21, or through their first 100 games.
But centers? That's where Wembanyama stands apart.
The only 7-foot centers with that many assists through 100 games were Bill Walton (who was listed somewhere between 6-foot-11 and 7-foot-1 during his career) and Brad Daugherty. Walton had 440, Daugherty 398.
Blocks: 366
Since blocks became an official stat in 1971-72, only two players had more in their first 100 games than Wembanyama.
Manute Bol had 425. David Robinson had 383. Again, that's good company.
“He's a tremendous shot-blocker," Denver coach Michael Malone said Friday.
3-pointers: 225
This one gets a little crazy. He has more 3-pointers through 100 games than Stephen Curry — the NBA's all-time leader — did.
Curry had 200 in his first 100 NBA contests. Wembanyama has 225 3-pointers, which ranks as 11th-most through 100 games in NBA history.
A reminder: He's a 7-foot-4 center, not a guard, even though he has all the guard skills.
 


Bahrain shock Oman for Gulf Cup glory

Updated 04 January 2025
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Bahrain shock Oman for Gulf Cup glory

  • Win sparked wild celebrations among the Bahrain fans in the crowd of almost 60,000

KUWAIT CITY: Bahrain won the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup on Saturday, defeating Oman 2-1 in a dramatic final in Kuwait City.
With 12 minutes remaining Oman were ahead, but two goals in two minutes late in the game gave Bahrain — with Mohamed Marhoon making the difference — a second triumph in the regional competition, six years after lifting the trophy.
For a long time at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, however, it looked as if the prize was heading to Muscat for a third time.
It took Oman, who defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the semifinal on Tuesday, just 17 minutes to take the lead, and it came from a corner.
Ali Al-Busaidi swung over a cross, and there was Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri to find a little space at the edge of the 6-yard box to head home in emphatic fashion.
Both teams continued to have chances, and it was always going to be the case that the next goal would be crucial.
It went to Bahrain, who leveled after 79 minutes. Marhoon was brought down in the area by Jameel Al-Yahmadi, and the hero of the semifinal win over Kuwait dusted himself down to fire home from the spot.
Just moments later and Bahrain were ahead thanks to more great work from the goal-scorer. Marhoon advanced to the left byline once more, and looked to pull back for waiting teammates in the area.
Instead, however, the ball was diverted into his own net by Mohamed Al-Musalami to spark wild celebrations among the Bahrain fans in the crowd of almost 60,000.
Oman did their utmost to get back on level terms, but Bahrain held on for the next 10 minutes of regular time and the 15 added on at the end, to start the new year in the happiest of fashions.


LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan’s record for 30-point games with his 563rd

Updated 05 January 2025
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LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan’s record for 30-point games with his 563rd

  • Jordan set his record in 1,072 games over 15 seasons, while James surpassed it in his 1,523rd appearance over 22 seasons
  • James became the NBA’s career scoring leader last season, and he holds several additional longevity records

LOS ANGELES: LeBron James broke Michael Jordan’s NBA record for 30-point games during the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over Atlanta on Friday night.
With a turnaround jumper with 5:58 to play for the last of his 30 points, James reached at least 30 points in the regular season for the 563rd time in his career, surpassing the mark established by Jordan in 2003. Jordan set his record in 1,072 games over 15 seasons, while James surpassed it in his 1,523rd appearance over 22 seasons.
“It’s very humbling,” James said. “Anytime I’m mentioned with any of the greats, and arguably the greatest ever to play the game, super-cool. It’s someone I idolized in my childhood, and I wear 23 because of him. So to know that I can sit here and be in the room or in the conversation or whatever it is, you mention MJ, it’s like super-duper dope for me, being a kid where I’m from.”
James turned 40 last week, and he is among the few remaining active players who personally witnessed Jordan in his 1990s prime with the Chicago Bulls. He studied and admired Jordan during his childhood in Akron, Ohio.
When James passed Jordan for fourth place on the NBA’s career scoring list back in March 2019, the moment moved him to tears on the Lakers’ bench. He called Jordan “an inspiration” and “the lightning in a bottle for me, because I wanted to be like him.”
The Lakers heralded James’ latest statistical superlative in their locker room after the Lakers’ 119-102 win over Atlanta. Chicago native Anthony Davis also made sure James kept his achievement in perspective, however.
“It bothers me,” the Lakers big man said with a grin. “But it took him seven more seasons. ... No, actually, growing up, I was more No. 1 LeBron. That was my era. So that’s obviously a hell of an accomplishment. I think he’s probably No. 1 in everything at this point. I’ve been here long enough to witness so many accomplishments, so I’m definitely grateful to be here, and we just want to keep stacking.”
James scored his final two buckets on turnaround, fadeaway jumpers that looked more than a little bit like the famed shot at the heart of Jordan’s midrange game. James said youth coaches didn’t always like his attempts to emulate Jordan’s turnaround fade because it compromises a shooter’s balance, but he has spent his entire basketball life honing it into a weapon.
“(Jordan) was more of a left-shoulder fadeaway guy,” James said. “I kind of go the opposite way. But just two masters of their craft putting in work and work and work to the point where it’s kind of become unguardable. It just works. It’s work and dedication.”
Coincidentally, James also passed Dirk Nowitzki (1,522) for the fourth-most games played in the regular season in NBA history Friday night. James has already played the most postseason games (287) in NBA history.
But James shows absolutely no signs of slowing in his record-tying 22nd season: He scored 38 points against Portland one night earlier to tie Jordan’s 30-point mark.
James hit seven 3-pointers against the Blazers while putting up the third-most points ever scored by a player over 40 — trailing only two games played by Jordan shortly after he turned 40 with Washington.
Only three players have scored at least 30 points in an NBA game after turning 40. Jordan did it four times, Nowitzki did it once — and James has already done it twice in the first five days of his 40s.
“It’s just another thing that he’s done in his career, and certainly speaks to his greatness and longevity,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “That stretch where he hit two fadeaways and a 3 (with 7:14 to play) gave us the cushion we needed and control of the game.”
James became the NBA’s career scoring leader last season, and he holds several additional longevity records. He has scored at least 10 points in 1,253 consecutive games over the past 18 years, obliterating the record set by Jordan from 1986 to 2001 (866).
 


Erling Haaland doubles up in Manchester City stroll as Spurs fume

Updated 04 January 2025
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Erling Haaland doubles up in Manchester City stroll as Spurs fume

  • Defending champions City beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games
  • Spurs have slumped to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven matches

LONDON: Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday while in-form Newcastle inflicted another painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Tottenham.
Chelsea’s recent woes continued with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, meaning they have taken just two points from four games over the festive period.
Defending champions City beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games but they have now won successive matches for the first time since October and Pep Guardiola will hope they have turned the corner.
The home side took the lead in the 10th minute when West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal deflected City winger Savinho’s cross past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
City tightened their grip three minutes before the break when Haaland headed home at the back post from Savinho’s deep cross.
The Norwegian claimed his second 10 minutes after the interval, dinking the ball over Areola after a fine pass from Savinho, to take his league haul to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fuellkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui’s men, who suffered a 5-0 mauling by Premier League leaders Liverpool last week.
Despite their shocking run of results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
But Guardiola said his team were still not back in the groove.
“We have struggled with results recently but the last two victories are good and we did not lose for three,” he told the BBC.
“I would say a month and half (of poor form) compared with eight years is not bad.”
In the early kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Newcastle came from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and heap more misery on injury-hit Spurs.
The home side went ahead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle levelled two minutes later when Antony Gordon arrowed an effort into the bottom corner but Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline looking at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand in the build-up.
VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a natural position and the contact to be accidental, which provoked a furious reaction from Tottenham’s bench and they were up in arms midway through the first half when the already-booked Dan Burn avoided a second yellow card for handball by the center circle.
In-form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner toward the end of the first period.
The 2-1 victory, watched by new England manager Thomas Tuchel, leaves Newcastle in fifth spot, which may yet prove enough to secure a place in the Champions League next season
But Spurs have slumped to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven matches.
Postecoglou said he was proud of his players but was the “angriest I think I have ever been in my career.”
“I think it’s clear,” said the Australian. “Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn’t handball or it was accidental, I’m just not interested in any of that discussion.
“I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I’ll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that.”
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were breathing down Liverpool’s necks just two weeks ago but are now nine points behind the Reds, having played two games more.
The Italian, who has always insisted his team are not in the title race, made six changes for the match at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea took the lead when Jadon Sancho drove down the left and found Cole Palmer, who calmly finished in the corner.
The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession but they could not capitalize and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled in the 82nd minute.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford recorded their first league win on the road, smashing bottom side Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.
Second-placed Arsenal are in action at Brighton in the 1730 GMT kick-off while Liverpool host crisis-hit Manchester United on Sunday.