UAE Pro League: Al-Ain close gap on Shabab Al-Ahli at top of the table

The unstoppable Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba fired holders Al-Ain right back into ADNOC Pro League’s title mix and Al-Dhafra’s 11-year stay met its demise in a gripping matchweek 23.

A heavyweight match-up at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium with star-studded Sharjah was settled by Laba’s ruthlessly dispatched, unanswered brace.

With three matches left, this invigorating 2-0 victory helped Al-Ain create a tantalising three-point gap to long-time leaders Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai after Morocco magician Adel Taarabt’s 91st-minute goal secured an entertaining 2-2 draw for 10-man Al-Nasr.

Al-Wahda are five-points off the top in third following an Adrien Silva-inspired, 3-1 victory in the Abu Dhabi Derby against near-neighbors Al-Jazira. Al-Wasl went fourth when Ivorian youngster Adama Diallo’s pair ended their four-match-winless top-flight run courtesy of a commanding 3-0 triumph versus helpless Baniyas.

At the opposite end of the table, bottom-placed Al-Dhafra dropped into First Division League with a whimper when beaten 3-1 by Khor Fakkan in a must-win meeting from which they trailed 2-0 after five minutes.

Second-bottom Dibba Al-Fujairah, meanwhile, moved within striking distance of safety, and increased the anxiety at third-bottom Al-Bataeh, with a 1-0 victory which created a three-point gap between the sides.

Morocco striker Walid Azaro was again among the goals when sixth-placed Ajman edged Ittihad Kalba 2-0.

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

Player of the week — Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (Al-Ain)

ADNOC Pro League’s “Mr Clutch” delivered, once again.

Both Al-Ain and Sharjah entered this heavyweight contest knowing that defeat would definitively end their title dreams for another season. It is the