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14 Clubs now shift focus to Arabian Gulf Cup

Dubai - Seven matches will be played over the two days with Dibba kicking-off proceedings against Al Wasl at the Fujairah Stadium, early on Saturday evening.

 With the last four now settled in the Arabian Gulf Cup after the final group games in midweek, the 14 clubs will recalibrate their focus on the Arabian Gulf League.
Seven matches will be played over the two days with Dibba kicking-off proceedings against Al Wasl at the Fujairah Stadium, early on Saturday evening.
Dibba have been on a good run, so to speak, with three wins on the bounce and which has seen them climb up to eighth on the League table. And Dibba will be keen on keeping that going when 'The Cheetahs' make the trip to Fujairah.
Meanwhile, one of the interesting fixtures on the same day will be Al Jazira playing host to Emirates. The 'Pride of Abu Dhabi' will begin life after Abel Braga following the Brazilian's dismissal, just six months into a two-year contract. Braga, who guided Al Jazira to their only piece of League silverware in 2011, became the third managerial casualty this season and seventh at the club in four years.
Al Jazira are in the hands of caretaker coach Ali Khamis Al Junaibi as the club searches a replacement and it will be interesting to see how the Pride of Abu Dhabi cope with the situation.
Braga was shown the door following the 4-0 defeat on the road to Fujairah. They currently sit 11th on the League table with just three wins from 11 fixtures, having drawn two and lost six.
Alarmingly, Al Jazira who had one of the most feared frontlines under the Belgian Eric Gerets last term, have scored 18 and shipped a whopping 25 goals, the joint third worst after Al Shaab, Al Dhafra and Fujairah
Elsewhere, in Dubai, Walter Zenga goes up against his former employers when basement dwellers Al Shaab pay a visit to Al Maktoum Stadium to meet Al Nasr, later on Saturday evening. The Italian, who was in charge of the 'Blue Wave' for two seasons, joined 'The Commandos' following a spell with Serie A club Sampdoria.
Now, under Serbian Ivan Jovanovic, last year's President's Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup winners Al Nasr have the chance to go joint second, albeit for 24 hours. Al Nasr are currently third with 21 points, three points adrift of Al Ahli, who are set to play on Sunday.
Jovanovic's men will be looking to bounce back from the 3-1 away loss to Al Ahli, last time out. As Al Nasr aim for full points, Zenga's Al Shaab are looking to break the duck, the only team yet to win a game this season.
Meanwhile, in the Capital, Javier Aguirre's Al Wahda will try to stop an Al Sharjah side, whose resurgence has been sparked by the appointment of caretaker coach Abdulazia Al Anbari after the axe fell on Paulo Bonamigo. 'The King' are unbeaten in three fixtures, having drawn one and won two on the trot.
Defending champions Al Ain begin Sunday by hosting Al Fujairah at their iconic Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, and 'The Boss' will be looking to maintain their four-point cushion at the summit.
Al Ahli are on the road to Bani Yas later in the evening, with the latter hoping to arrest a barren run, which has seen them go winless in six League fixtures.
Al Shabab are at home to Al Dhafra at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.
james@khaleejtimes.com