DUBAI // As referee Ali Hamad blew his final whistle of the season, Al Ahli coach Ivan Hasek, normally an iceman in the dugout, jumped into the arms of his assistant like a teenager before being swamped by everyone around him.
His players sank to their knees, as their labour of the past 10 months bore the ultimate fruit: the first Pro League title. There was mayhem in the packed stands too as Ahli fans, who had assembled three hours before kick-off, exploded with joy.
Ahli needing a win at Al Shabab to clinch the title, and the right to represent hosts UAE in December's Fifa Club World Cup, did it with style, cruising to a comfortable 3-1 triumph. This was Ahli's fifth UAE league title, the last came in 2006, and many of the players and fans could not hold back their tears, overcome with emotions.
They had to wait until the final round of the league for their crown but, as coach Hasek kept repeating, they kept their fate in their own hands.
"From the first moment I came here, it was to win," said the jubilant Czech coach after the final whistle, "not for second place.
"It was not easy, Jazira were very good, Al Ain also. The players have been excellent all season, and the Club World Cup was a big motivation. Now we have more work to do for the future."
As their date with destiny arrived, the party started early for Ahli. Just seven minutes into game, Egyptian maestro Hosny Abd Rabo put them ahead, tapping home Faisal Khalil's pass. Three minutes later, Bare, like a raging bull, barged his way past two defenders and unleashed a scorcher from the edge of the box, which left keeper Salem Abdullah stranded to make it 2-0.
The fans were, however, stunned into silence in the 36th minute when Marcos Assuncao's free-kick was sliced into his own net by Khalil but Ali Abbas brought them back into party mode with a stunning free-kick in added time of the first-half. It was a thoroughly convincing performance from Ahli, deserving of a league finale.
Shabab's Issa Obaid hit the woodwork in the 73rd minute, but the celebrating Ahli fans barely noticed it. The three goals in the first session had wrapped up the game for the visitors and Ahli fans kept the party going through the second half and long into the night.
Quizzed on his future, Hasek said: "Let's not speak about that now." After this hair-raising season, Ahli's fans will be hoping their bald coach sticks around.
arizvi@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
The%20specs
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Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Company%20Profile
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THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
