Teams battling at both ends of the table find themselves going head-to-head in match week 3 of the Arabian Gulf League this weekend.Six games over two days take place in four different emirates as the league heats up and teams move up to second gear. As released by the Arabian Gulf League
Emirates open the weekend’s fixtures at 17:15 on Friday as they welcome Hatta to Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaima. The two sides narrowly escaped relegation last season and find themselves in a similar position in the early stages of this season. The hosts go into matchweek 3 with a point to their name, having drawn against Al Dhafra in the first game then lost to Al Wasl in matchweek 2. Hatta are worse-off, having seen their work cut-out for them with back-to-back heavy defeats 4-1 and 3-0 against title contenders Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Al Ain respectively.
Ten minutes later, a clash between two undefeated teams kicks-off in the capital Abu Dhabi as Al Wahda look to extend their perfect start to life under new coach Laurentiu Reghecampf for another week as they sit top of the league with six points. The Maroons welcome Al Dhafra to Al Nahyan Stadium with the visitors sitting on four points from two games and eager to remain unbeaten.
Thursday fixture conclude with arguably the biggest game of the weekend as Al Ain welcome rivals Shabab Al Ahli Dubai to Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the 20:15 kick-off. The hosts are looking to build on their good performances so far, having drawn Al Wasl in match week 1 then beaten Hatta 3-0. Their visitors meanwhile are on full-mark after beating Hatta and Ajman in their two first games.
Newly promoted Ajman travel to the east coast to face Dibba at 17:15 on Saturday. The hosts are fresh off a famous victory over champions Al Jazira and will be motivated to put together a string of good results. Meanwhile, life in the Arabian Gulf League has not been kind to Ajman so far, The Oranges lost to a late Al Jazira goal in the first game then threw away their lead to lose 1-3 to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai. The Oranges will be eager to kick-start their season with a win at Fujairah Stadium.
Saturday fixtures continue at 17:25 on Sharjah Club Stadium where The King face historic rivals Al Wasl in a game that pits together popular clubs. The hosts go into the game with a point to their name after a goalless draw against Al Nasr in match week 1. Sharjah remain the only Arabian Gulf League side yet to score a goal in the competition. The Cheetahs, meanwhile, go into the game hoping to stay in contention for top spots, having collected four points so far from a draw against Al Ain and a win against Emirates.
Match week 3 concludes in the capital with the 20:15 kick-off at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium bringing Al Jazira head-to-head with Al Nasr. The Pride of Abu Dhabi look to bounce back from their shock 0-1 defeat against Dibba in their last outing. Cesare Prandelli’s Al Nasr side are chasing their first win under the Italian manager, having drawn Sharjah and lost to Al Wahda.
