Al Shabab seek stable approach for new season

CEO Surour insists Al Mamzar outfit need to have a killer instinct

Al Shabab are hoping to bring stability to the club to once again emerge as one of Dubai’s best in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) next season.

Al Shabab qualified to the Asian Champions League after ending in third place in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) behind champions Al Ain and runners-up Al Jazira.

The club from Al Mamzar had a golden opportunity to finish behind Al Ain. They also had a good run to emerge as sole leaders at the start of the league. But like last season, a string of lopsided results in the last quarter of the AGL proved to be their undoing — starting with their 1-3 loss to Emirates Club, Ras Al Khaimah in Round 21.

The result came following a couple of 2-2 draws against Al Wasl and Ajman, respectively. Caio Junior’s men regrouped well and won 1-0 against relegated Fujairah and then 4-2 away against Al Jazira in the penultimate round. However, with an Asian Champions League spot already assured, they faltered once again with a 1-1 draw against Al Dhafra to finish in third position.

Signing off well

With one goal achieved, Al Shabab signed off for the season on a winning note as they won the Gulf Champions League crown for a record third time. “We had some good performances but I think we lacked killer instinct towards the end. We are pleased with what we have achieved this season, but this is a team that can definitely do much more,” Mattar Surour, CEO, Al Shabab told Gulf News.

“We reached the semi-finals of the Arabian Gulf Cup and the President’s Cup but I think we could have done better. This only means we need to work harder while maintaining the stability within the team. That will be our goal as we commence preparations for the new season,” he added.