The third week of the 2020/21 Arabian Gulf League produced a historical moment.
The 105th Derby Bur Dubai, the famous Dubai Derby between Al-Wasl and Al-Nasr, took place on Thursday night and it did not disappoint. Al-Nasr started the season in a much more solid way than their metropolitan rivals from Zabeel, many thanks to their combinations in the attack.
Sebastian Tagliabue opened the scoring on the 42nd minute and added another on the 62nd minute through an assist by Dia Saba - the Israeli national team forward who joined the club recently. It was Saba’s first assist in Emirati football. The combination of the two continued to be sublime as a unique double pass move in the build-up ended in a terrific goal by Saba, his debut goal in the UAE and a historical moment for Middle Eastern football.
READ THE ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIRST MATCHDAY RECAP
Clean leaders
Sharjah and Bani Yas are setting the benchmark in the first weeks for the league.
The latter met Khorfakkan and hammered them 5-0 thanks to excellent performances by Gaston Alvaréz, Nico Gimenéz and Suhail Ahmed Al-Noobi.
Sharjah played at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium against Al-Ain and managed to grab an important win, 1-2. Ex-Al-Ain, Caio Lucas, was on fire, leading his team alongside Igor Coronado, to a comfortable 0-2 lead. In the late minutes, Al-Ain managed to score one via a header by Mohamed Ali Shaker. But it wasn’t enough. The Ainawys with an unstable start for the season, while Sharjah looks confident and in-form to repeat their heroic 2018/19 term.
READ THE ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE SECOND MATCHDAY SUMMARY
Al-Ain and Maccabi Haifa set for the historic agreement
Speaking of Al-Ain, the official announcement and details about their up and coming agreement with the Israeli side, Maccabi Haifa, will be here in any day now. Sources from both clubs have told BabaGol that the plans for cooperation are extensive and will include a friendly match, exchange of knowledge and possibly players and talents for different purposes.
This agreement will follow the recent memorandum of understanding between both Israeli and Emirati leagues. Exciting and historical times indeed in the Arabian Gulf League.
Ismael Mattar still got game
On Friday night, Ismael Mattar showed the world how much talent he has in his legs when he produced an outrageous goal for Al-Wahda. A definitive candidate for goal of the year. What an execution!
Photo via Al-Nasr official Instagram.
