Al Jazira players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Arabian Gulf League crown following their victory over Khorfakkan.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, has lauded Al Jazira on securing the Arabian Gulf League title.

Al Jazira were crowned 2020-2021 Arabian Gulf League champions after beating Khorfakkan 3-1 at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in the final matchweek on Tuesday.

Oumar Traore struck twice and Ali Mabkhout got on the scoresheet too as the Pride of Abu Dhabi claimed a decisive win to earn their third league title and their first since the 2016-17 season. They finished off the season with 57 points, three clear of second-placed Bani Yas who were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Wahda.  

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.”

Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the UAE Football Association, gave the trophy to the Al Jazira club members following an exhilarating title race which boiled down to the final match of the season.

Also present was Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Vice President of Al Jazira Club, chairman of the Board executive committee.

The title win comes after the club beat Khor Fakkan by 3-1 at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium as club captain Ali Khaseif raised the trophy.

Topping the table with 57 points, this is Al Jazira’s first title win since 2016-2017 and sees the club end the season on 57 points.

Led by Dutch manager Marcel Keizer, the ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ trophy comes on the heels of a riveting season by the youngest team in the league that put on excellent performances, scoring 65 goals and conceding just 29 in 26 matches. Over 23 players played the season in total.

Tuesday’s achievement is a result of their hard work, dedication and sacrifice from day one to the final whistle.

Thanks to his 25 goals, Mabkhout snatched the title of the golden boot winner. He now stands just four goals away from becoming the all-time top scorer in the league’s history.

Despite exceptional circumstances that saw the league play out behind closed doors, partners and fans of Al Jazira fueled and encouraged the team every step of the way through social media with their supportive voices and messages heard loud and clear at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.

The club thanked their fans and urged them to maintain their safety and wellbeing by following all precautionary measures while they are celebrating the league title.

Bani Yas draw with Al Wahda, settle for second place: Bani Yas went into the game knowing they will need a helping hand from Khorfakkan for a chance to lift their first-ever league title, considering they defeat Al Wahda at home.

Daniel Isaila’s men couldn’t break the deadlock until after the break. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute, and Gaston Suarez stepped up to score from the spot.

Bani Yas’s lead was shorted-lived as in-form forward Omar Khribin equalized for Al Wahda on 68 minutes to complicate the hosts’ slim title chances, as Al Jazira were already leading at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Bani Yas finished off the season with a tally of 54 points, only three behind the champions. Al Wahda have 37 points and still have a game in hand as they will be facing relegated Fujairah in a postponed game on Saturday.