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Abu Dhabi: All seasoned marathon runners know that a strong finish is one major factor to win the race.
This theory will be adapted by the top and bottom teams of the etisalat first division league in the last crucial five weeks starting today with the matches of the 18th week.
At the top of the standings, five teams have a good chance of winning the title.
Al Shabab, lead with 33 points, Al Jazira second with 31 points, Sharjah third with 29, Al Ahli fourth with 28 and Al Shaab fifth with 26.
Both Al Ahli and Al Shaab have a match in hand.
While the five top teams are fighting for the title, there are three teams struggling for survival at the bottom of the standings, deep in the relegation zone. Emirates are bottom with 11 points, Hatta second from bottom with 13 and Al Wahda third from bottom with 14, with a match in hand.
"Losing points at this stage might easily means losing the title," Rashid Abdul Rahman, the captain of the UAE and the libero of Al Jazira, told Gulf News. "The teams have entered the phase in which no compensation is available for lost points."
Relegation
Al Shabab have a grudge against Al Shaab. They lost their first match this season against the same team 2-1 in the first round. They are not only looking for revenge but also and more importantly for continuing their sole leadership of the league while Al Shaab are looking to come back to the competition for the title after losing many easy points in the past weeks.
Al Jazira host Al Nasr and hope to win the points and awaiting for favour from Al Shaab to hinder the steady march of Al Shabab, despite the fact if Al Jazira won their all remaining matches they will emerge winners of the title for the first time ever. They won their first round match in Dubai 2-0. But many things have changed since then.
Sharjah are aware of the surprises of Al Dhafrah who won their last league match in the "Smiling Emirate" when they defeated Al Shaab with a single goal in the 17th week.
Al Ahli are dreaming of the double and winning their remaining matches will surely take them along way in that direction.
Al Wahda will do their best to win the match against Al Wasl to escape relegation. It is ironic that the two teams finished last season as winners and runners up and are representing the country in the Asian Champions League while their results in the domestic competitions are poor. Defending champions Al Wasl are placed 7th and Al Wahda 10th.
FIXTURES
Today
- Al Wasl v Al Wahda-5:55 pm.
- Sharjah v Al Dhafrah-5:55 pm.
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr-8:35 pm.
Tomorrow:
- Hatta v Emirates-5:55 pm.
- Al Ain v Al Ahli-5:55 pm.
- Al Shabab v Al Shaab-8:35 pm.
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