Mabkhout bags Golden Shoe, Keizer named Best Manager as Al Jazira dominate UAE Pro League Awards
- 17 Aug 2021
Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter
Al Jazira dominated UAE Pro League Awards as star striker Ali Mabkhout bagged the Golden Ball for the Emirati Player and Golden Shoe in a glittering ceremony on Monday.
Mabkhout was conferred with the Golden Shoe Award for his goal-scoring exploits. He scored a whopping 25 goals in the league and played a vital role in guiding the Pride of Abu Dhabi to their third league title.
Mabkhout, who began his career at Al Jazira at tender age, has become the highest scorer for the club with 199 goals in 239 domestic appearances. He is just shy of four goals from becoming the highest scorer of the Pro League, having netted 171 times in 234 league matches.
Al Jazira coach Marcel Keizer was named as the Best Manager for steering his team to the Arabian Gulf League title. Al Jazira saw a turnaround in fortunes under Keizer and went on to win the title after four years. They had last lifted the coveted trophy in 2016-17.
"I think this trophy isn't all mine, it is all us. You have seen how the players did some work that looked easy but it isn't easy. They are big players who have the skills and the right mentality," said Keizer after being named as the Best Coach.
Ali Khaseif ran away with the Best Goalkeeper title for his exploits in guarding the net.
“This comes from all the players, I believe that I am so lucky to play in Al Jazira and we have a team that helps you with lots of talents, experience and youngsters," tweeted Khaseif after receiving the award.
Joao Pedro of Bani Yas won the Golden Ball award for foreign players.
He scored 18 goals in 24 matches as Baniyas finished runners-up – their best finish ever -- in the league.
UAE veteran Ismael Matar also bagged a couple of laurels as he was scooped the Fans’ Player of the Year Award and for scoring the Best Goal of the season.
The Golden Boy Award for the best young Emirati player was won by Al Wasl's Ali Saleh while Shabab Al Ahli's Igor Jesus claimed the newly-incepted Golden Ball Award for the best young player.