Adnoc Pro League wrap: Mabkhout magic for Al Jazira, and Paco Alcacer answers Sharjah call

The latest action in the Adnoc Pro League provided plenty of cheer, from a buoyant Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium cheering Al Jazira to victory against champions Al Ain, and high-profile summer signing Paco Alcacer again on the scoresheet for Sharjah. We pick out the highlights from Round 3.

Matchday 3 kicked off on Thursday with Sharjah maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season – even if they were made to work hard for it. Having trailed twice at Ajman, Cosmin Olaroiu’s side sealed the points through Paco Alcacer’s 72nd-minute header. It was timely for team and player; Alcacer had moments earlier missed from the penalty spot.

Thursday featured two draws played out by Dubai’s long-standing clubs, with Al Wasl held 1-1 at home to Dibba Al Fujairah and Al Nasr’s away trip to Khorfakkan ending goalless. One positive point for Wasl, though: Fabio De Lima scored once more as he continues to way back from last season’s serious injury.

The night’s headline act, however, belonged to Al Jazira. The 2020/21 league winners dealt reigning champions Al Ain their first defeat of their defence, triumphing 2-1 at a vibrant Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. A superb strike from Abdullah Ramadan opened the scoring for the hosts, before Kodjo Laba equalised. In-form Ali Mabkhout then proved the match-winner, latching onto a defensive mistake on 52 minutes to fire home. Al Ain were reduced to 10 men soon after when Bandar Al Ahbabi was given a straight red.

Matchweek 3️⃣ ✅Do you see your team? #ADNOCProLeague#FairPlayFairSupport#FansLeague pic.twitter.com/3FA8SE5Y1t

Friday was marked by two of the more unheralded teams continuing their fine starts. Newly promoted Al Bataeh made it two wins from three with a 1-0 victory at struggling Baniyas -