UAE Pro League preview: Wasl march on, Iniesta strike not enough to save Emirates

Siaka Sidibe's goal sealed a 3-0 win for leaders Al-Wasl against Khor Fakkan (X/@AlWaslSC)
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Updated 31 March 2024
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UAE Pro League preview: Wasl march on, Iniesta strike not enough to save Emirates

  • Fourth-placed Al-Wahda and third-placed Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club share stoppage time goals in an unforgettable 3-3 draw

DUBAI: Spain legend Andres Iniesta’s strike was not enough to quiet deafening alarm bells at relegation-threatened Emirates Club, results strengthened Al-Wasl’s grip on the title and Morocco striker Walid Azaro hit a “super hat-trick”’ for an appreciative Ajman during ADNOC Pro League’s consequential matchweek 17.

An early Iniesta tap-in upon Thursday’s restart after the international break boosted second-bottom Falcons’ hopes of consecutive wins, but this was soon shattered by Baniyas’ come-from-behind, 2-1 win. Hatta remained bottom when ex-Portugal youth forward Iuri Medeiros struck in a 1-0 victory for swiftly improving Al-Nasr, pushing them sixth.

Fourth-placed Al-Wahda and third-placed Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club shared goals past the 90-minute mark in an unforgettable 3-3 stalemate in the capital, which does little for either club’s shrinking title aspirations. A 1-1 draw between second-placed AFC Champions League semi-finalists Al-Ain and Sharjah also had the same effect.

These slips were welcomed by relentless leaders Al-Wasl, for whom second-half goals from Fabio De Lima, Nicolas Gimenez and Siaka Sidibe in their 3-0 triumph versus Khor Fakkan earned a 10-point buffer.

Morocco center forward Azaro, meanwhile, sensationally netted all four goals at 10-man Ittihad Kalba, securing a 4-2 victory, which moved them nine points from danger. Mirel Radoi and Al-Jazira suffered a 3-2 defeat late on at the manager’s former employers Al-Bataeh.

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

Player of the week: Walid Azaro (Ajman)

A high watermark, for club and player, this term.

Azaro was unstoppable during a rollercoaster contest on the east coast. His domineering talents fit perfectly with the brutal game plan applied by Daniel Isaila.

Ajman sought destruction and distraction whenever they received possession. That all four of the bullish center forward’s goals came from crosses — three headers, one devastating low finish — spoke volumes.

Kalba’s defenders had no answer. A parlous situation accentuated by Abdulaziz Al-Hamhami’s dismissal prior to the hour mark.

Within a season of struggle in the wake of last term’s club-record sixth-placed finish, Azaro can feel individually content. That is now nine top-flight goals for the campaign.

Only competition icons (De Lima, 10 goals; Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba, Omar Khrbin, 11 goals) sit ahead of him. Ajman’s next-highest scorer (Ali Madan) has four.

Without their Moroccan hit man, the 11th-placed outfit would be in the relegation mire.

Goal of the week: Ismail Matar (Al-Wahda)

It takes a special player to influence matches into their fifth decade.

This is exactly what the timeless Ismail Matar managed in Friday evening’s epic match between Al-Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli.

Passes within the tightest of confines, central and 30 yards from goal, were exchanged with impactful Iran midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi. The pair’s beguiling play was followed by the cleanest of drives from one of UAE football’s great technicians.

With zero back lift, the ball just flew past stand-in goalkeeper Adel Fadaq, appearing to pick up pace as it went.

Matar, 40, has looked a natural since making his Maroon debut back in 2001 and being named FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament in 2003.

Fast forward more than two decades and there are precious few performers able to deliver such elevated moments.

Coach of the week: Cosmin Olaroiu (Sharjah)

It is never simple when Cosmin Olaroiu returns to the Garden City.

The manager who endured the most acrimonious of splits in 2013 found himself back at Al-Ain amid a run of one victory in six ADNOC Pro League runouts. Not good enough for a team of Sharjah’s strengths and resources, plus Olaroiu’s peerless reputation.

The King showed character to swiftly respond at this season’s AFC Champions League semifinalists to Laba’s opener via fitful Tunisia playmaker Firas Ben Larbi. So, too, Olaroiu who started with Bosnia and Herzegovina superstar Miralem Pjanic on the bench.

It is still only one win, one defeat and five draws in seven for the fifth-placed side, but this one felt more fulfilling.

Changing face of UAE football

A quick scan of March’s international break sees an expected pair of victories against minnows Yemen send the UAE into the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifying, with two games to spare.

So far, so normal.

Something seismic, however, happened in the 74th minute of Tuesday’s 3-0 triumph. It saw manager Paulo Bento hand a debut to naturalized Ajman midfielder Isam Faiz and herald the beginning of a new era.

The Morocco-born battler became the first resident player eligible to represent the UAE, since the revolutionary scheme’s domestic launch in 2019.

This continuing program has witnessed promising U-23 players recruited from across the globe who become eligible for Emirati citizenship after three years of residence and to play for the national team via FIFA rules after five years.

Faiz is the first. Many more should become available throughout the grueling third round from September.

These include Al-Ain’s exceptional 23-year-old center-back Kouame Autonne, reputed to have repeatedly rejected overtures from Africa Cup of Nations holders Ivory Coast. Outstanding club-mate Erik, electric Shabab Al-Ahli forward Igor Jesus, refined Nasr center-back Glauber and his former Botafogo academy teammate Lucas Pimenta — now of Wahda — are nearing the end of their waits.

This is in addition to the concurrent possibility for senior stars to become eligible. Wasl’s lead assist maker Nicolas Gimenez and Shabab Al-Ahli stalwart Federico Cartabia could be among those to follow in the footsteps of De Lima, Caio Canedo and Sebastian Tagliabue.

Something different is required to propel the UAE back to the World Cup, for just the second time. The squad, which underwhelmed under Bento at the Asian Cup, is set for the kind of upheaval capable of enacting change.


Jannik Sinner all set for Rome Open after doping ban

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Jannik Sinner all set for Rome Open after doping ban

  • Sinner was welcomed back to action on Monday by thousands of fans who watched his first training session at the tournament on center court at the Foro Italico
  • Sinner: I’m very happy, happy to be back here. It has been a very long, long three months

MILAN: Jannik Sinner is the star of the show at the upcoming Rome Open as the world No. 1 and Italian tennis hero gears up for his return to the courts after a contested doping ban.

Away from the game since agreeing a suspension with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in February, Sinner was welcomed back to action on Monday by thousands of fans who watched his first training session at the tournament on center court at the Foro Italico.

Such is the interest in Sinner, who has become a national hero in Italy since rising to the top of the men’s game, that Sky Sport broadcast the practice match with world No. 38 Jiri Lehecka live on television.

All eyes will be on the 23-year-old as he hasn’t swung a racket since retaining his Australian Open title in January, a victory which took his Grand Slam tally to three.

“I’m very happy, happy to be back here. It has been a very long, long three months,” Sinner told reporters in a packed conference room inside the center court.

Fans in Rome have waited two years to see Sinner play their clay court tournament after he missed last year’s edition, won by Alexander Zverev, with injury.

It is on a surface which is not his favorite and his rustiness was clear to see on Monday.

Only one of Sinner’s 19 titles has come on clay, in Umag back in 2022, the same year as his best result in Rome, a quarter-final exit at the hands of beaten finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.

However he does have some time before he finally takes to the court, his status as the top-ranked player on the men’s tour allowing him a bye into the second round which starts on Friday.

Sinner has been fortunate that none of his rivals took advantage of his enforced pause, with second-ranked Zverev still almost 2,000 points behind the man who beat him in the Australian Open final.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz is yet to arrive in Rome after withdrawing from the Madrid Open while Novak Djokovic will have to wait a bit longer for his 100th ATP title after deciding to sit out a tournament he has won six times.

Sinner is eyeing a run at the French Open, the second Slam of the season which follows the Rome tournament.

“My objective is Roland Garros, I’m here to see what level I’m at,” said Sinner.

“I’m not here to beat whoever, but to get past the second round and then see what happens.”

Sinner’s rise to the top of the game in 2024, when he won eight titles including his first two Slams and the ATP Finals, was dogged by the controversy which followed his two positive tests for traces of clostebol in March last year.

He said last month he hit “rock bottom” at the most recent Australian Open, saying he felt like other players “looked at me differently.”

Sinner was aggrieved as he feels he did nothing wrong, and WADA said explicitly he “did not intend to cheat,” accepting he was contaminated by his physiotherapist using a spray containing the banned substance to treat a cut before providing a massage.

Regardless, he also had to accept the three-month ban offered by WADA, rather than risk being forced out of tennis for two years just as he became the dominant force in men’s tennis.

“I didn’t want to do it in the beginning. It was a bit not easy for me to accept it because I know what really happened,” said Sinner.

“But sometimes you have to choose the best in a very bad moment. And that’s what we did. It’s all over now, so I’m happy to play again.”


Milan clinch 2-1 win with two quick-fire goals in rainy Genoa clash

Updated 2 min 4 sec ago
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Milan clinch 2-1 win with two quick-fire goals in rainy Genoa clash

  • The result keep Milan at ninth place with 57 points, six points behind fourth-placed Juventus
  • Milan completed the turnaround when Genoa midfielder Frendrup, attempting to clear a short cross, inadvertently tapped the ball into his own net

GENOA: AC Milan secured a 2-1 victory over Genoa in a rainy Monday Serie A clash, with a rapid second-half turnaround driven by Rafael Leao’s equalizer and an own goal from Morten Frendrup.

The result keep Milan at ninth place with 57 points, six points behind fourth-placed Juventus, who occupy the last Champions League spot, with three rounds remaining.

With crucial back-to-back clashes against Bologna looming — first in the league followed by the Coppa Italia final — Milan appeared passive for much of the match, lacking urgency and creativity until a late surge turned the tide.

“We always try to improve. We work on individual and group levels. We work a lot,” Milan manager Sergio Conceicao told reporters.

“The players responded well, which shows we have a group that believes in what we do at Milanello (Milan training ground). I’m pleased with that.”

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was the stand out performer in a first half largely dominated by Genoa, making several crucial saves to keep his side level at the break.

Milan began to find their rhythm late in the first half and nearly took the lead just before the break, but Christian Pulisic was denied at point-blank range by a sharp save from Genoa keeper Nicola Leali.

The second half started in a largely uninspired fashion, with the relentless downpour proving more consistent than the football, as play was frequently halted for injury treatments.

Vitinha, introduced only a minute earlier, made an instant impact in the 61st minute, drifting into space inside the box and smashing home a perfectly delivered cross with his first touch to put Genoa in front.

Quick turnaround

A fortunate equalizer from Leao came in the 76th minute, when a low cross from the byline by Santiago Gimenez wrong-footed the Genoa defense and found the Portuguese forward unmarked in the box; his shot took a deflection off Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy before nestling in the net to level the score.

Less than two minutes later, Milan completed the turnaround when Genoa midfielder Frendrup, attempting to clear a short cross, inadvertently tapped the ball into his own net.

In stoppage time, Milan nearly added a third when Leao fired a powerful effort that Leali was forced to parry away from danger.

“In terms of our game plan, we could’ve done better in possession during the first half. We played against a tough team on a tough pitch. Credit to the opponent — but we could have looked for depth more,” Conceicao said.

“On the goal we conceded, collectively, we could have done more.”


Nottingham Forest draws at Crystal Palace as Champions League hopes fade

Updated 06 May 2025
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Nottingham Forest draws at Crystal Palace as Champions League hopes fade

  • A win at Selhurst Park would have brought them equal with Chelsea and Newcastle but one point means it stays in sixth

LONDON: Nottingham Forest drew with Crystal Palace 1-1 in the Premier League on Monday and saw its Champions League hopes fade.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s men have spent most of the year in the league top three but a run of one win in four has dropped them behind Chelsea, Newcastle and a resurgent Manchester City.
A win at Selhurst Park would have brought them equal with Chelsea and Newcastle but one point means it stays in sixth, with the top five qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Neither team was able to take control of a sometimes scrappy match that saw eight names go in the referee’s book.
Palace took the lead with a penalty kick after an hour. After a video review, Matz Sels was adjudged to have felled Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze made no mistake from the spot.
Forest bounced right back within four minutes, Murillo doing enough to deflect a goal-bound shot from Neco Williams away from the keeper.
Eze hitting the woodwork in the dying seconds and Eddie Nketiah having a goal disallowed for offside in stoppage time meant FA Cup finalist Palace has not won any of its last five league games.


Minister of Sport receives 2025 AFC Elite Champions League winners Al-Ahli

Updated 05 May 2025
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Minister of Sport receives 2025 AFC Elite Champions League winners Al-Ahli

  • Prince Abdulaziz congratulated the Al-Ahli players and management on their victory over Japan’s Kawasaki
  • Prince Abdulaziz expressed his admiration at the outstanding performances delivered by the team over the course of the tournament

JEDDAH: Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal received the 2025 AFC Elite Champions League winners Al-Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and congratulated them on their victory over Japan’s Kawasaki.

The reception was also attended by Assistant Minister of Sport Abdulilah bin Saad Al-Dalak, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal, and several ministry officials and leaders.

Prince Abdulaziz expressed his admiration at the outstanding performances delivered by the Al-Ahli players over the course of the tournament. He also praised the players’ commitment, competiveness and cohesiveness, which paved the way for ultimate victory.


PFL MENA season 2 opens with world-class talent in Jeddah on Friday

PFL MENA 2 will feature world-class talent from the Middle East North Africa region. Credit: @Webook12T
Updated 05 May 2025
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PFL MENA season 2 opens with world-class talent in Jeddah on Friday

  • Reigning lightweight champion, Iran’s Mohsen Mohammadseifi, battles rising contender Ahmed El-Sisy from Egypt
  • Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz bin Moammar makes his debut against Morocco’s Fares Hamdani in catchweight bout

JEDDAH: The second season of PFL MENA begins this Friday at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah, featuring world-class talent from the Middle East North Africa region.

Headlining the card is a high-stakes lightweight showdown between reigning champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi from Iran and rising contender Ahmed El-Sisy from Egypt.

The division also features a trio of compelling matchups, with Algeria’s Souhil Tahiri taking on Kuwait’s Abdullah Saleem, and Bahrain’s Abbas Khan squaring off against Moroccan striker Salah Eddine Hamli.

The featherweight division promises equal intensity.

Jordan’s Abdelrahman Alhyasat, riding the momentum of a five-fight win streak, faces a formidable challenge in undefeated Moroccan Taha Bendaoud.

In other featured featherweight contests, Jordan’s Izzeddine Al-Derbani meets Algerian standout Mohamed Amine, while Iraq’s Hussein Salem takes on Egypt’s Assem Ghanem.

Adding to the excitement are several exhibition bouts, including Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz bin Moammar making his debut against Morocco’s Fares Hamdani in a catchweight fight.

The flyweight division will see local favorite Malik Basahel clash with Algeria’s Mountassir Boutouta.

The evening will also spotlight women’s MMA, with undefeated Kuwaiti talent Eman Almudhaf going toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Shamara Braga in a featherweight contest that promises fireworks.

Stacked with world-class talent, the PFL’s return to Jeddah sets the stage for a thrilling 2025 season.