Five key factors in Al Ahli’s march to the Arabian Gulf League title

STR / AFP

STR / AFP

Adil Alnaimi / Al Ittihad

Courtesy Arabian Gulf League

Al Ahli sealed the Arabian Gulf League title on Thursday night following second-placed Al Ain’s defeat at Fujairah. John McAuley looks at five key factors in the Dubai club’s seventh UAE championship.

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SOW SIGNING

Moussa Sow arrived from Fenerbahce in September for a reportedly record €16 million (Dh66m) fee, but he took time to settle, his early performances not reflecting the price tag and his demeanour suggesting he was not completely happy at his new club. However, Sow transformed into a crucial cog in Ahli’s title march, scoring decisive goals against Emirates and Sharjah. Leading the attack in place of the injured Rodrigo Lima, he has 11 league goals in 22 matches: outlay justified.

ASIAN REBOUND

Ahli’s journey to the final of the Asian Champions League required huge amounts of physical and mental strength. To do so while competing for the domestic title is commendable, but it was their response to the Guangzhou Evergrande defeat that highlighted their incredible resilience. Their season could have collapsed, yet Ahli rebounded with quick-fire victories against Al Shabab and Al Jazira and, although they suffered their only two losses shortly afterwards, they retained focus. Have since dropped just four points.

ABBAS REBORN

Walid Abbas has long been considered one of the UAE’s finest defenders — and with merit. Yet he endured a difficult 2014/15 campaign, beset by injury and a subsequent loss of form. This season, though, Abbas has re-emerged as a reliable member of the league’s meanest back line, the standout in a standout defence, able to shift positions whenever needed. Has even notched a couple of goals, prompting coach Cosmin Olaroiu to affectionately label him “Walid Messi Shaqiri Van Basten”.

CIEL’S RETURN

When a December injury ruled out 19-goal striker Lima, Ahli resisted the urge to delve into the market and chose instead to trust a player who himself had just recovered from a serious setback. Ciel returned against Al Wasl following a 15-month absence, then scored twice in his next game, a 2-0 win at Fujairah. His tally has climbed to five league goals, including the vital winner against Al Shabab.

His revival compensated for Lima’s injury, both timely and telling.

TOP-TWO DECIDER

Already three points clear, this month’s home clash against second-placed Al Ain was key to determining the title race. Ahli provided another show of their mettle, clinching a deserved victory courtesy of Ahmed Khalil’s first-half header. In doing so, they moved six points away from the defending champions with three rounds remaining. Ahli closed in on a seventh top-flight crown, with their players and fans celebrating as such post-match, knowing they had passed their last significant test. The decisive result.