Al Ahli’s title defence will get under way between September 16-18 after the Pro League Committee released the fixtures for the first half of the new season.

The Red Knights stormed to a seventh Arabian Gulf League crown last term, finishing nine points ahead of holders Al Ain.

Relegation strugglers Emirates Club will be up first at Rashid Stadium, with the final date for the game to be announced in the future.

The decision about the schedule followed a coordination meeting between organising body the PLC and the UAE Football Association on Sunday. This saw the original start date moved forward a day from September 15.

Domestic action will restart on September 2-3 with the first round of group games in the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Champions Al Wahda will face Al Jazira in Group A, with beaten finalist Al Shabab kicking off against Dibba Al Fujairah in Group B.

Shadow squads will be expected for the opening cup games, with the fixtures falling between the UAE’s opening third round qualifiers for World Cup 2018.

The sixth and final round of group matches will be played between December 12-13. In the AGL, round 13 will signal the halfway stage and it will come on December 22-23.