UAE Pro League sees Shabab Al-Ahli edge closer to title as finish line nears

Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club’s grip on their first ADNOC Pro League title strengthened in a significant matchweek 21.

The unstoppable Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba’s forceful late header — a 22nd goal in 21 top-flight runouts this term — pegged the merged club back to a 1-1 draw at second-placed champions Al-Ain, when play resumed after the international break.

With the chasing pack all faltering, Shabab Al-Ahli are now five points clear with only five matches to play.

Third-placed Al-Wahda and fifth-placed, big-spending Sharjah played out a goalless draw at Al-Nahyan Stadium. Fourth-placed Al-Wasl, meanwhile, went ahead in the first minute through UAE flyer Ali Saleh’s fine solo strike, but goals from venerated compatriot Ali Mabkhout and Morocco winger Achraf Bencharki saw 2020-21 champions Al-Jazira prevail 2-1 on the road.

Elsewhere, Tunisia schemer Firas Ben Larbi had two second-half penalties saved when the nine men of promoted Al-Bataeh held on for a steadfast 1-1 draw with seventh-placed Ajman. Bottom-placed Al-Dhafra’s long top-flight stint looks certain to end, thanks to mid-table Baniyas’ 4-2 victory at Madinat Zayed.

Dibba Al-Fujairah, in 13th, kept slender hopes of an escape alive courtesy of a 1-0 victory against Khor Fakkan, earned through Alvaro de Oliveira’s 55th-minute finish.

Meanwhile, Al-Nasr’s troubles became an increasingly distant memory when a 3-0 win versus Ittihad Kalba moved them up to ninth, having taken 12 points from the last available 18.

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

Player of the week — Zayed Al-Hammadi (Al-Bataeh)

It was the personal duel which Zayed Al-Hammadi had little expectation to win once, let alone twice.

The scale of the Bataeh