The crowning moment for Al Ain comes on Saturday as the Arabian Gulf League champions receive the championship trophy after their final league match of the season, which is against Sharjah at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
The celebration that kicked off last Thursday with various fun and family activities concludes tonight following the presentation of the league title amid a grand fireworks and laser show.
“It is a momentous time for everyone, that the players to the technical staff, the club management and fans alike have been waiting for,” said Sheikh Abdullah Mohammed bin Khalid, chairman of the club’s board of directors.
It is Al Ain’s third league title in four years and comes after the treble they achieved from 2002 to 2004.
They have won the league 12 times, more than any other club since laying their hands on it for the first time during the 1980/81 season.
“This year’s league title should be a catalyst as the club’s aspiration remains to achieve more success this season as we still have the President’s Cup and the Asian Champions League to play for,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
Al Ain will want to celebrate their coronation with a victory over Sharjah, a team that finished just above the relegation zone in 12th place and on 25 points to their 59.
The next challenges for Al Ain are their President’s Cup opener next Friday against Dibba Al Fujairah, who return to the top flight after edging out Al Shaab by three points to win the Division 1 title.
Al Ain meet arch rivals Al Ahli in Dubai five days later in the first leg of their Asian Champions League last-16 tie, with the second leg in Al Ain on May 27.
Elsewhere in the AGL, Fujairah closed out their first season back in the top flight with a 1-0 victory at relegated Ajman. Boubacar Sanogo provided the winning touch, heading Hassan Maatouk’s cross past Ajman goalkeeper Jaber Jasim.
Fujairah, who were promoted from Division 1 with Kalba, finish the season in ninth place on 32 points despite a minus-22 goal difference. Ajman finish 13th on 15 points, dropping into Division 1 after four seasons in the top flight.
Kalba, meanwhile, lost 3-0 at home against Emirates to round out a difficult return to the top division. Alexandro followed a hat-trick in his previous match with two goals yesterday, scoring in the 24th and 40th minutes, to give him 10 league goals.
Luiz Henrique completed the scoring in the 85th minute as Emirates moved onto 30 points and took 10th place. Kalba managed 10 points, one less than their previous top-flight season.
apassela@thenational.ae
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China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
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Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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