All things point to Ahli title victory

The inaugural UAE Pro League season comes to an exciting climax this weekend, as Al Ahli and Al Jazira battle for the right to lift the new golden shield.

When the UFL embarked on a new chapter in the Emirates' football history last September – the country's first professional league – they could not have wished for the competition to maintain such interest going into the final round of games.

Al Ahli, coached by the experienced Ivan Hasek, take on Al Shabab at the Al Maktoum Stadium knowing they are still in control of their own destiny. If the league leaders collect all three points against the Slashers, the title will take pride of place at the Sheikh Rashid Stadium for only the fifth time in the club's history.

Hasek, whose side defeated Shabab to claim the Super Cup at the season's inception, has warned last September's match against their city rivals will have no bearing on Sunday's encounter.

"We cannot link the Super Cup game with the final round of the league," said the former Czechoslovakia midfielder. "The first game was played in a high temperature and high humidity at the start of the season and had to go into extra-time.

"But the situation is now different as the two teams know each other very well and both have reached a high level physically and technically," he added. "I expect Shabab to be even stronger than they were in the Cup.

"They will play without pressure and the match will require composure from our players throughout the 90 minutes. If we do that, we can be champions."

If things don't go to plan for the Red Knights, Jazira will be ready to capitalise in Ajman, where they take on a mid-table side with little if nothing to play for.

Abel Braga, the wily Jazira coach, rested a host of first team players for his team's final Asian Champions League fixture on Wednesday – his reserves bowed out of the competition after a 2-2 draw with Iranian champions Esteghal – but will still be deprived of the services of record signing Rafael Sobis through injury.

The Black Spiders are one point behind Ahli and realise they need a win and a favour from Shabab if they are to be crowned champions. However, the season will be prolonged if Ahli draw against their neighbours and Jazira seal victory – the title therefore decided by a play-off.

At the other end of the table, Sharjah and Al Shaab are fighting it out to avoid relegation. Sharjah travel to Al Dhafra needing a point to survive, while Shaab require all three points at Al Ain and must hope the Kings lose in Dhafra. Bottom club Al Khaleej are already down.


Fixtures

Round 22 (all Sunday):

Al Shabab vs Al Ahli

Ajman vs Al Jazira

Al Dhafra vs Sharjah

Al Ain vs Al Shaab

Al Khaleej vs Al Wahda

Al Nasr vs Al Wasl

UAE Pro league standings

Club Pl Won Draw Lost GF GA GD Pts

1 Al Ahli 21 16 4 1 51 24 27 52

2 Al Jazira 21 16 3 2 53 16 37 51

3 Al Ain 21 11 7 3 38 20 18 40

4 Al Wahda 21 9 4 8 38 38 0 31

5 Al Shabab 21 8 4 9 33 34 -1 28

6 Al Nasr 21 6 7 8 35 38 -3 25

7 Al Wasl 21 7 4 10 36 44 -8 25

8 Ajman 21 7 3 11 20 35 -15 24

9 Al Dhafra 21 5 8 8 31 31 0 23

10 Sharjah 21 6 3 12 30 44 -14 21

11 Al Shaab 21 5 3 13 23 35 -12 18

12 Al Khaleej 21 4 2 15 20 49 -29 14

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