VP and Hamdan congratulate Al Wasl on winning league title
Mohammed tweeted: ‘Congratulations to Al-wasl Club and its fans... and congratulations to my beloved brother Ahmed Bin Rashid...’ Sheikh Hamdan wrote: ‘Congratulations to Al-wasl Club for achieving the league title...’
Al Wasl secured the Pro League title for the 2023/2024 season with a decisive 3-0 win over Shabab Al Ahli in matchweek 25 at Zabeel Stadium.
This win elevates Al Wasl to 61 points, nine points clear of their closest rivals, Shabab Al Ahli, who remain at 52 points with only two games left for each team.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to congratulate the winners.
Sheikh Mohammed tweeted: ‘Congratulations to Al-wasl Club and its fans... and congratulations to my beloved brother Ahmed Bin Rashid, may God protect him, for this precious victory...
You made us happy with your beautiful play, well-deserved victory, and wonderful sportsmanship.’
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, also congratulated Al Wasl on their victory.
Sheikh Hamdan tweeted, ‘Congratulations to Al-wasl Club for achieving the league title. Congratulations to the players and the technical and administrative staff of the Yellow Castle for this exceptional season and winning the cup and league double... We are proud of the performance of the Dubai clubs and their competition for the local season titles, and we look forward to more achievements at the continental level.’
This marks Al Wasl’s first title in the professional era of the ADNOC Pro League and their eighth UAE league title overall, following previous victories in the 1981-1982, 1982-1983, and 1984-1985 seasons.
The first half saw balanced play between the two teams.
Al Wasl launched an early attack, with Haris Seferovic narrowly missing a shot in the 17th minute. Goalkeeper Khaled Alsenaani showcased his skills by saving a header from Igor Jesus in the 19th minute, with the ball rebounding off the crossbar and Alsenaani blocking Jesus’s follow-up attempt.
In the second half, Al Wasl came out with increased precision. Ali Saleh set up Haris, who scored with his left foot in the 49th minute. Fabio Lima doubled the lead with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area in the 58th minute. This was Lima’s fourth goal from outside the box against Shabab Al Ahli in their last nine encounters in the ADNOC Pro League.
Al Wasl nearly added a third goal when Nicolas Gimenez’s header was saved by goalkeeper Hassan Hamza in the 65th minute.
Khaled Alsenaani made a crucial save against Luka Milivojevic’s shot from outside the penalty area in the 90th minute and followed up with another save from Yahya Alghassani’s attempt inside the box in stoppage time.
Al Wasl sealed their victory with a goal from substitute Adama Diallo, who capitalized on a defensive mistake to score in the 90+7th minute. Al Wasl’s decisive 3-0 victory over Shabab Al Ahli not only secured their place as the champions of the ADNOC Pro League for the 2023/2024 season but also marked their historic eighth UAE League title.
Elsewhere, Ittihad Kalba and Bani Yas shared the spoils after playing out a goalless draw in matchweek 25 of the Pro League on Saturday.
The first half was cagey with no real threats towards both goalkeepers. The two teams pressed for taking the lead, but it seemed that they forgot their scoring boots at their homes.
The result means that Ittihad Kalba are 10th with 25 points, while Bani Yas sit 11th with 24 points.
A stoppage-time goal from Omar Khribin earned Al Wahda a late draw with Khorfakkan at Nahyan stadium. It was a cagey game in the first half with no real threat towards both goalkeepers.
Ala Zhir granted the lead for Khorfakkan and scored the only goal of the match by deflecting Antonio Junior’s cross into his net.
For the second matchweek in a row, Omar Khribin missed a penalty spot as goalkeeper Alhosani brilliantly parried the ball out.
Al Wahda have been granted another penalty spot and the Syrian international stroked the ball into the back of the net in the 18th minute of the stoppage time to secure a point for Al Wahda.