9 points (potentially, 12 points with the leader Al Dhafra still having a match to play) separate United FC from the 2nd position (currently Fujairah, with the same 36 points as Al Dhafra but with the same number of matches played) and, after this win, Hatta is 8 points away from them.

Naturally, with 13 matches to go (or 39 points) looking for Promotion is very plausible, of course.

However, it’s been a journey where they could have positioned themselves, both teams, in a better way by now.

The match was, as expected, intense and well played.

Hatta Club started strong, with a goal in the first minutes and a good start, creating very good mobility in the midfield with one of the forwards dropping close to the holding midfielders and creating numerical superiority (ie. 3v2) that allowed them more control and more attacking play.

They presented themselves in a regular GK+4+4+2 formation, added this nuance of the playmaker to drop on build-up to help them control the centre of the Game.

It’s a team of simple processes, that doesn’t seem to stand by any rigid structure on the build-up and that focus on the exploring the spaces left.

The defensive line has good power, specially the 2 Centre-Backs, and speed, with both side-backs being fast, specially the left-back that takes more offensive initiatives when the ball is on his side.

Along with that, both wingers are also very similar, in terms of their profile – short, technically good and fast – with the left side working more as an unit, with multiple combinations and overlapping, and the right side depending more on the winger for the offensive moments, due to his ability to force the dribble, without fear and protected with the more conservative right-back.

This was the first time I’ve watched Hatta this Season and I liked it, honestly.

A lot of experience at the central corridor, irreverence at the wings and simple processes.

I could assume that if they had the ability to have one or 2 more valuable players in the team and, definitely, they would be closer to the top of the table and fighting clearly for Promotion!

United FC, on the other hand, keeps their pursuit in a ver courageous way and they ended loosing a match that should be a simple win, in fact.

They had a few players’ changes, mainly the Goalkeeper (they’ve changed by the end of the Winter Transfer Window), one of the common Centre-Backs was also absent and Adrien Silva, the captain.

And although the players that played in those positions made a good overall performance, sometimes in Football is more about routines than actually the performance itself.

I mean, when certain players are used to play together, they create routines, understand each others movements and ways of doing things ahead of time, something that experience brings (and can’t be bought without that time).

The team presented in the normal GK+4+2+3+1 with some nuances defending, depending on Quincy Promes movements, either by joining the Striker Luis Torres and pressing both up on the field, or slightly dropping closer to the midfielders.

The performance, without being amazing, was ok and they created chances to score more goals, including missing a penalty just before half-time.

But, the biggest Football cliché appeared during the 2nd half – “if you don’t score, you end up losing” and Hatta Club was able to score in a set-piece, guaranteeing the 3 points to Hatta!

They have seemed to lose faith when conceded the 2nd goal and was expected to get more energy to fight for the result, but the Game was conducted in a way that they couldn’t react effectively.

Hatta Club was also capable of mitigating the attempts of the best players of United FC, and therefore, the team wasn’t able to create many dangerous situations.

I end up this text the same way I started – both teams have arguments (individual quality) to be positioned up on the table, but they weren’t able to do so.

However, as mentioned, there are 39 points at stake and a lot can happen in the coming weeks.

Specially now, with Ramadan starting, some dynamics will definitely change, starting by the time of Training Sessions and Games and some teams might adapt better than others.

It will be exciting, as Emirates Club is also coming strong with 4 wins in-a-row and facing 3 top-5 teams in the next 3 matches (Hatta Club, Al Dhaid and Dibba, respectively) and can bring even more excitement to the League.

I believe in 1 month we will have a clear vision of what all these Clubs can bring to the last matches and who will be fighting for Promotion.

For now, 9 points are separating the top-7 teams and everything can happen!

Excitement is guaranteed!

Let’s see how it ends!

Ramadan Kareem to all my local readers, may this Season be full of blessings for you and your families.