Al Jazira finish campaign in style
abu dhabi — Al Jazira were officially crowned Arabian Gulf League champion as skipper Ali Khasif lifted the trophy for only the second time in club’s history.
Sealing the stamp of authority, striker Ali Mabkhout scored a hat trick as Al Jazira thrashed Al Dhafra 4-0 in the last round match to make it all home wins at their fortress Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday. It was a night in which not only Al Jazira turned a new chapter but also rewrite record books.
Mabkhout triple blows saw him easily eclipsing Asamoah Gyan’s 31goal record set in 2012-13 season with Al Ain. Now the Al Jazira mainstay has 34 goals to brag about and hit a century with his League goals.
It has been a ground-breaking year for Al Jazira in which chief architect Henk ten Cate has successfully led the reconstruction. He has transformed a mid-level team into
Goals:
Al Jazira (4): Ali Mabkhout (20, 45+, 65), Khalfan Mubarak (43) a dangerous and fearsome unit and the grand finale was a proof of the sea change. The Al Jazira juggernaut was set rolling by platoon commander Mabkhout. In the 20th minute, Fares Jumaa’s header was barely kept out by Al Dhafra keeper Abdullah Sultan but Mabkhout was on the spot to score one of the easiest of his career goals.
The celebrations continued when in the 43rd minute, Mbark Boussoufa’s cross into the box from left flank was converted by the Khalfan Mubarak. A flying Mabkhout couldn’t make any contact and Mubarak slotted in at the right end. And in the additional time, Mabkhout provided Boussoufa with a gem of a pass for the Moroccan to make it 3-0.
There was no break after the breather as Mabkhout made it Goal No. 33. In the 65th minute, Mubarak flicked to Mabkhout in front of the goal and the striker had to just head in.
With the win, Al Jazira got 68 points and eclipsed Al Ahli’s record of 66 points last season.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com