Champions Al-Ain drop points while Al-Jazira legend Ali Mabkhout shines in opening round of the UAE’s ADNOC Pro League

The opening round of the ADNOC Pro League saw Champions Al-Ain dramatically drop points at Ajman, while debutants Al-Bataeh shone as the 2022-23 season promised plenty of intrigue in the coming weeks and months. Bahrain winger Ali Madan’s fortunate strike saw Ajman hold the Boss to a 1-1 draw in Friday’s opener, with last term’s 26-goal leading scorer Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba also failing to convert a penalty deep into second-half injury time moments after VAR ruled out a winner for the hosts.

There was contrasting emotion for promoted Bataeh — only founded in 2012 — who triumphed 2-0 against supposed dark horses Al-Ittihad Kalba, through Lourency and Joao Novais’ fine efforts. Spain hit man Paco Alcacer sealed a 2-0 win for Sharjah at Leonardo Jardim’s Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club, Joao Pedro’s headed brace salvaged a late 2-2 draw for Al-Wahda amid the vibrant atmosphere at Al-Wasl and club legend Ali Mabkhout repeated the trick in Al-Jazira’s 2-0 triumph versus First Division League victors Dibba Al-Fujairah.

Saska Ivkovic got the only goal as 10-man Baniyas held on against Khor Fakkan and Al-Nasr pegged back Al-Dhafra in a 1-1 stalemate.Here are Arab News’ top picks and a talking point from matchweek one:Player of the Week: Ali Mabkhout (Al-Jazira) A summer break has, seemingly, done iconic Al-Jazira striker Mabkhout the world of good. The UAE football’s leading scorer for both club and country registered only 10 top-flight goals last season, his lowest return in eight years.

But the striker already matched 20 percent of this tally within the opening 27 minutes at a carnival Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. Revitalized Mabkhout reveled in the company of electric new additions Florin Tanase and Achraf Bencharki, picking out the