The newsmakers were far and wide in the Pro League this season, with Al Ain who won a 10th championship and relegated Sharjah making headlines for the right and wrong reasons, perhaps in equal measure.
Al Ain did not seem to put a foot wrong all season as they romped to their first league success since the 2003/04 campaign. The winners had a great season, but it should have been even better for Cosmin Olaroiu’s side had the Romanian aimed for at least another domestic title with the best team in the league at his disposal.
Winning the Pro League with a team containing Asamoah Gyan, Yasser Al-Qahtani, Ignacio Scocco and Mirel Radoi while failing to make the knockout phase of all other cup competitions, makes it difficult to tell what Al Ain will make of 2011/12.
Nevertheless it would be harsh to rob them of glory as they were the most consistent team in the Emirates. The Boss romped home in style winning 17, drawing four and losing just once all season, finishing a good 14 points ahead of second placed Al Nasr.
It is hard to imagine Al Ain without Gyan, who netted 22 league goals alone, and if he does leave the Garden City, it would require another world-class, and costly, replacement to fill his boots as the prospect of Asia beckons next season.
The battle to fill the remainder of the top four spots was an intriguing battle with Nasr confirming second place on the final day following a 2-2 draw with Dubai rivals Al Shabab, who had to settle for third.
Second was a triumph for Walter Zenga and in the year and half he’s been in charge, the Blue Wave have shown tremendous improvement, but could they go all the way in 2012/13? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Zenga admits he has a lot of respect for Shabab boss Paulo Bonamigo, whose side has consistently punched above its weight since the Brazilian arrived two seasons ago. They started and ended their season with two cup finals, winning the GCC Champions League but losing the Etisalat Cup – both against Al Ahli.
Having focused entirely on winning the league last season, this year was all about Asia for Abu Dhabi giants, Al Jazira, who won their group en route to the Round of 16, but were unfortunate to crash out on penalties.
However, the biggest disappointment of the league this season were Al Wasl, who made more headlines than any other side following the appointment of Argentine legend Diego Maradona as coach last May.
Maradona’s strong personality encouraged a war of words with Olaroiu at the start of the season, but his coaching style left much to be desired. His major tussle was with the club’s management and it seems things are still sore concerning transfer budgets.
The battle to stay alive at the bottom went down to the wire and it was Dubai who pulled off a great escape with an unlikely 2-0 win over Jazira in their backyard. There was heartbreak for Emirates despite a final day win over Al Wahda while mis-management meant Sharjah deserved to go.
END OF SEASON AWARDS
Team of the Season – Al Ain
The Boss were exceptional in the league, with coach Cosmin Olaroiu’s imports supplemented by the brilliant decision to bring Helal Saeed back to the Garden City. The only hiccup was an away defeat to Al Nasr, but Al Ain recovered well and did not give the chasers another sniff.
Surprise package of the Season – Al Nasr
With their rivals strengthening ahead of the season, not many gave the Blue Wave much hope but Walter Zenga’s men finished second.
Player of the Season – Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain)
Powered The Boss to the title with an audacious 22 goals from just 18 games. Need we say more?
Young Player of the Season – Khamis Esmail (Al Jazira)
Started the season as a back-up for his club, ended it as an integral cog for both Jazira and the UAE Olympic team.
Flop of the Season – David Trezeguet (Bani Yas)
Marquee signing failed to score in four games before quitting.
Coach of the Season – Cosmin Olaroiu (Al Ain)
Turned The Boss from relegation fodder into league champions. No surprise to see a total of seven players from champions Al Ain in the squad.
Signing of the Season – Mirel Radoi (Al Ain)
Reunited with Cosmin Olaroiu for a reported 4.2 million (Dh19.3m) and became his general on the pitch.
Goal of the Season – Yasser Al Qahtani, Al Ain v Al Jazira, April 27, 2012
Needing a win to secure the title, the Saudi came to the fore in the eighth minute, chipping giant keeper Ali Khaseif from just 10 yards.
Game of the Season – Sharjah 4-5 Al Nasr, Sharjah Stadium, December 4, 2011
The hosts led 2-1 and then 3-2 with just seven minutes of normal time left. Diane stole a dramatic late win, and hat-trick, in the 96th minute.
Dream XI of the Season – No surprise to see a total of seven players from champions Al Ain in the squad. Goalkeeper Dawoud Sulaiman gets in for his end-of-season form that was rewarded with a UAE call-up.
(4-3-3): Dawoud (Al Ain); Fayez (Al Ain), Abbas (Al Shabab), Fares (Al Ain), Mousa (Al Jazira); Radoi (Al Ain), Bresciano (Al Nasr), Villanueva (Al Shabab); Ricardo Oliveira (Al Jazira), Gyan (Al Ain), Grafite (Al Ahli)
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