Adnoc Pro League wrap: Mabkhout shines in thriller, De Lima stars and Wahda run riot

The latest matchday in the Adnoc Pro League threw up a thrilling top-of-the-table clash in Abu Dhabi, while Manuel Jimenez’s return to Al Wahda could not have gone any better. We pick out the highlights from Round 5.

Matchday 5 kicked off on Friday with champions Al Ain running out 2-0 winners at Dibba Al Fujairah. Summer signing Andriy Yarmolenko appears to be finding his feet, the Ukrainian opening the scoring on six minutes. Kodjo Laba, last year’s top scorer, grabbed the second, leaving Dibba still without a win. The poor start to the season then prompted a change of manager: Gregory Dufrennes has replaced Zoran Popovic.

In the day’s other early kick-off, Shabab Al Ahli’s inconsistent start continued, when the Dubai club were held to a goalless draw at home to Ittihad Kalba.

If that match failed to ignite, then Friday evening’s clash between Al Jazira and Sharjah, the division’s lead sides thus far, certainly delivered. By half-time, Jazira were 3-2 up at a buoyant Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, with Ali Mabkhout bagging two in a see-saw encounter.

For Sharjah, Paco Alcacer and Caio Lucas were on the scoresheet. Caio would have the last laugh, though, coolly slotting home a 70th-minute penalty. With spoils shared at 3-3, Sharjah remain top – despite their first dropped points of the campaign.

Matchweek 5️⃣ ✅Do you see your team?