Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed congratulates 'Pride of Abu Dhabi' Al Jazira on Arabian Gulf League triumph

Third top-flight crown and trophy celebrations on the pitch

Al Jazira were presented with the Arabian Gulf League trophy after easing past Khorfakkan 3-1 in the final game of the season on Tuesday, May 11. Victor Besa / The National.

Jazira ended the season with 17 wins from 26 games, suffering only three defeats. Victor Besa / The National.

Jazira celebrate after winning 3-1 over Khorfakkan to be crowned UAE champions. Victor Besa / The National

The victory means Jazira have become UAE champions for the third time. Victor Besa / The National

The Arabian Gulf League final game was held at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National.

Al Jazira players during the first half. Victor Besa / The National

Jazira's Abdullah Ramadan, right, battles for possession with Ismail Al Hammadi of Khorfakkan. Victor Besa / The National

Jazira's Thulani Serero heads the ball. Victor Besa / The National

Milos Kosanovic of Jazira is booked in the first half. Victor Besa / The National

Jazira's Thulani Serero goes down looking for a foul. Victor Besa / The National

Khorfakkan's Bruno Lamas challenges Jazira's Thulani Serero for a header. Victor Besa / The National

Paulinho of Khorfakkan claims a foul. Victor Besa / The National

Play is stopped after a Jazira player is injured in the second half. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, has commended Al Jazira on securing the Arabian Gulf League title, saying it could become a catalyst for more titles for the club.

The Abu Dhabi side became UAE champions on Tuesday night for the third time, when they defeated Khorfakkan 3-1 at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium to finish the Arabian Gulf League three points ahead of second-placed Baniyas.

The title represented Jazira’s third top-flight crown following successes in 2010/11 and 2016/17.

Reacting to the win early on Wednesday, club president Sheikh Mansour posted on social media: ““My sincere congratulations to the fans of Al Jazira Club, the board of directors, the technical staff and the players, on the occasion of winning the Arabian Gulf League, and I hope that this coronation represents a promising start for the ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ to achieve more titles, in response to the great ambitions of the club and its fans.”

Nicknamed the “Pride of Abu Dhabi”, Jazira concluded the campaign on 57 points having won 17 of their 26 league matches. They suffered only three defeats, while boasting the most goals scored (65) in the division and the joint second-best defensive record (29 goals conceded).

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Jazira Club’s vice president and chairman of the Executive Committee, said: “This title win is especially significant as it has been a unique season on and off the pitch. Despite playing without fans in our stadium and other Covid related challenges, we managed to play great football with unyielding positivity, passion and teamwork to win a league title that the Al Jazira family has been pursuing since 2016-2017.

“I am so very proud of all the players, technical staff and everyone associated with the club for their hard work and dedication, culminating in a success, of which we should all be proud. I also want to commend sporting director Mads Davidsen, head coach Marcel Keizer, team director Hussein Suhail and the rest of the support staff, who built a squad that exemplified our philosophy of developing young talent from our academy.

“At Al Jazira, we always strive to win every title. It is what the ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ passionate fans deserve. And today, we celebrate the return of the Arabian Gulf League trophy to Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, the home of victories and titles.

“I would like to dedicate this victory to our fans and thank them for their unconditional support throughout the season. I would also like to acknowledge the club’s many partners. Every member of the club family appreciates their support.”