Gulf Club Championship (GCC)

I've got a good feeling for Al Khor this year but worried about Faisaly, since they also won both of their games. No doubt Muharraq won't want to relinquish the title. From what I've seen so far, these three teams are top contenders. This tournament has got some really weird scheduling, though...

 

Baniyas SC should take this tournament seriously. They have a very good team, which is currently sitting in second place in the UAE Pro League table, albeit 8 points behind Al-Ain SCC and not really within a fighting chance of overcoming the leaders this late in the campaign. But that's mainly due to Al-Ain's unstoppable form lately. I think Baniyas has a bright future in UAE football. The club has been on a gradual rise over the last couple of years and I feel they'll win the league next season. It also helps that there's more parity in the UAE than the other countries of the region, which means that the lack of dominance by any specific team makes it easier for newcomers like Baniyas to reach the top at some stage. This season, however, belongs to Al-Ain and I believe everyone in the Emirates conceded that by now. As for the Etisalat Cup and President's Cup, Baniyas were eliminated from both competitions. Therefore, other than the GCC Champions League, there's nothing else Baniyas could win this year. I think it's imperative that they collect any kind of silverware, now that they're trying to create their own legacy. For instance, when clubs like Jazira SCC began to expand their trophy cabinet, the subsequent buildup of confidence around their camp eventually made it easier for them to win the league in the succeeding years. It's a psychological advantage to have -- when your team is winning various cup competitions -- which will undoubtedly improve the team's mental ability to endure long and tiresome league marathons, as well as provide them the experience and know-how.

Baniyas should be the dark horses, but they need to turn their poor start around.

 

It looks like Kutsuit was right I think Al Khor are the favorites, seeing as they are the only undefeated team in the whole tournament. Baniyas' squad is the best in the tournament, no doubt, but that doesn't always guarantee results if you can't get the most out of your players.

 

Performance wise Baniyas deserved to win. But it is a bit disappointing seeing as how in the first leg, the referee didn't count a goal for Al Khor in which the ball passed the line and then decided to send off an Al Khor player in a puzzling decision. Also in the second leg Aboutrika's goal was 100% offside, and Baniyas scored the second goal directly after the Malaysian referee decided to send an Al Khor player off, once again a very strange decision. Still, Baniyas outplayed Al Khor in the second leg and some of the first leg, so Al Khor shouldn't have too many complaints... (although they did place the blame for them not claiming the title on the refereeing in both legs).

GCC Champions League next year will be reducing to 6 teams in a round-robin type group. From what I understand, the top four teams from the main group will go on to the semi-finals(?) and then the winners from the respective semi-finals will play each other in the finals.

I may be completely wrong about the last part, but I know that they will be reducing the competition to 6 teams in a round-robin group. It seems kind of like a strange decision.

 

My thoughts exactly. Arab clubs need more exposure to international games, and it certainly helps raise the level of clubs and leagues.

Perhaps they were afraid that countries were losing interest in the competition, so they thought that reducing it to one club per country would make it more intriguing? You're probably right in believing that they'll be hoping that it will encourage more countries to send their higher-ranked teams. Seeing as it is a round-robin tournament, it would have to be held on a neutral venue during a certain period of the year. Unless they plan on having 12 games for each team... otherwise, it might be tough to schedule it in a time period which is suitable for all the clubs domestic leagues.

 

There's always a first time for everything, Elspamo.

On a serious note, I think Baniyas SC should challenge for the UAE league title next year. It's a very good team.