UAE Pro League review: Late goals boost Al-Ain and Al-Wasl

ADNOC Pro League title hopefuls Al-Ain and Al-Wasl were grateful for late goals, while defeat spelt doom for two head coaches, in an eventful matchweek nine.

Unstoppable Togo hit man Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba produced his leading 10th strike this term — plus, an inventive UAE Flag Day celebration — to complete champions Al-Ain’s 2-1, comeback victory against Khor Fakkan in the 80th minute.

Meanwhile, UAE forward Fabio De Lima converted a 100th-minute penalty in the round’s dramatic final act when Al-Wasl came from behind to down Ajman 2-1.

Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club’s 6-0 thumping of new boys Al-Bataeh brought an end to Caio Zanardi’s reign and former Bayern Munich midfielder Thorsten Fink was replaced at 12th-placed Al-Nasr by Goran Tomic after a 2-0 home loss against Al-Jazira.

Caio’s 87th-minute spot-kick pushed first-placed Sharjah past struggling Al-Dhafra 1-0 in returning boss Aleksandar Veselinovic’s second debut, Joao Pedro struck twice when Al-Wahda beat bottom-placed Dibba Al-Fujairah 3-0 in a match that finished with 10 men apiece, and dark horses Ittihad Kalba kept in the mix courtesy of their 2-1 downing of Baniyas.

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

Player of the week — Harib Abdalla (Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club)

It took nine matchweeks, but the UAE’s brightest prospect has finally arrived for 2022-23.

Harib Abdalla was tipped for greatness from the moment he completed a sensational solo goal in September 2020’s AFC Champions League clash with Shahr Khodro. The teenager’s burgeoning reputation was further boosted by a nerveless winner against South Korea that ensured the UAE’s World Cup 2022 qualifying progression on the third round’s final day.

A star looked poised to