The 32-year-old firebrand star-ted the season as the title winners’ No2 following his six-match continental ban for an altercation with a photographer during an AFC Champions League game against Tractor Sazi in March 2015.

Ahmed Dida stepped into the void left by the UAE international as the Red Knights reached the final of Asia’s premier club competition. It took until December for Nasser to wrestle back the No1 jersey, but his contribution was telling.

Nasser played in 17 of Ahli’s final 18 top-flight games, suffering just one defeat, while he kept a joint-high nine clean sheets.

“He’s the best goalkeeper without doubt,” said Olaroiu of Nasser, who also made the Best XI. “We have to not forget Majed didn’t start the season. Dida was the first goalkee-per for a long while with his suspension in the Champions League. He waited his turn, trained hard and when he got the chance he took it and became the best goalkeeper.”

Nasser’s team-mate Kwon Kyung-won was also named in the elite selecton and the defender paid tribute to his club-mates.

“I’m delighted with the award, it shows we had a good defence,” said the 24-year-old South Korean.

“I didn’t win it myself, it was the team and I want to say thanks to my team-mates.”

Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre, meanwhile, was thrilled about Mohamed Al Akbari picking up Under-21 Player of the Year and the crop of exciting youngsters spearheaded by the 20-year-old.

“I’m happy with the awards for Tagliabue and Al Akbari,” said the Mexican. “I have a really good feeling with the young players next year. Three or four of them have to be big hits in the league. We have Khalil (Ibrahim), (Mohammad) Abdulbasit and Salem Sultan. They have to play 25 games next season.”