Football: Al Jazira gear up for Emirates road trip; Ahli take on Hatta

Al Jazira Striker Ali Mabkhout vies with Sharjah's Muhain Khalifa during their Arabian Gulf League match in Abu Dhabi.

Five weeks into the new season of the Arabian Gulf League and there has already been two managerial casualties in the UAE's top flight. And it is against this backdrop that the sixth round will be played out on Wednesday and Thursday with the initiation of a new manager in the UAE League.
Former Romanian international Dan Petrescu has taken over the reins at Al Nasr following Ivan Jovanovic's axing and Dibba presents a tricky test for the former Chelsea player.
Al Nasr are at home at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Dibba on Thursday night, with Petrescu tasked with stemming the slide following four consecutive defeats under Jovanovic.
Those four losses, against some really difficult opposition no less, cost Jovanovic his job and brought an end to his three-year stint at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
Al Nasr are languishing in 10th on the table, one spot below Dibba and Petrescu has had little time in lifting the morale of the team, since arriving in Dubai on Sunday. The Blue Wave have only one win to show so far, while Dibba go in search of a first victory after three draws and two losses.
The sixth round though begins on Wednesday evening with League toppers Al Jazira on a road trip to Ras Al Khaimah to face Emirates.
The Spiders go into the fixture on the back of a 5-0 win over Bani Yas, with their frontman Ali Ahmed Mabkhout scoring a hat-trick in that game. Al Jazira are eyeing a fourth win on the trot after three clean sheets previously.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Al Ahli are at home to League newcomers Hatta at the Rashid Stadium and Cosmin Olaroiu's men will be looking for a win after a goalless stalemate against Al Shabab, last time out.
The headlining fixture on Wednesday night is record League winners Al Ain hosting second-placed Al Shabab at the iconic Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
The Boss too would be eager for a win after being held to a 2-2 draw in their previous game against Dibba.
In the other late kick-off on the night, Al Sharjah are at home to Al Wahda at the Al Sharjah Stadium.
Thursday sees newcomers Ittihad Kalba hosting red-hot Al Wasl, who are on a four-game win streak.
Meanwhile, Bani Yas coach Jose Gomes faces another tough test when the Sky Blues take on Al Dhafra.
The Portuguese's first game in charge was the 5-0 defeat against Al Jazira.
Gomes had replaced Uruguayan Pablo Repetto, whose stint lasted just 86 days.
james@khaleejtimes.com