The Rashid Stadium was a scene of celebration tonight after Al Ahli fought back to defeat Al Wasl and clinch the Arabian Gulf League title.
The Red Knights have been in imperious form this season – losing just twice – and prior to tonight's fixture held a massive 12 point lead over second-placed Al Shabab.
Holding such a commanding position, Al Ahli needed just a single point from their remaining four games to secure their first league title since 2009.
And they achieved it at the first attempt, battling past a resilient Wasl side, who produced an admirable display that belied their lowly league position.
Given the two teams' contrasting form, Al Ahli were heavily favoured to win this evening, but Ricardo Oliveira tried to spoil the party with a delightful curling free-kick that snuck inside the home side's near post.
There must have been a few worried Ahli fans in the packed stadium tonight, considering Wasl inflicted a shock defeat on their Dubai rivals in the reverse fixture.
The visitors may have held an unlikely half-time lead, but Al Ahli came out after the interval blazing and found their equaliser after 10 minutes thanks to a smart finish by UAE striker Ahmed Khalil.
The Red Knights didn't have to wait long for their second, Grafite latching on to a long cross-field pass before slotting home with a first-time effort.
From that point, Al Ahli were in total control and while Wasl had a chance to score from a corner in the dying stages, a draw still would have been enough for Cosmin Olaroiu's men to seal the title.
With the Arabian Gulf League trophy safely tucked away in the cabinet, Al Ahli will need to refocus their efforts if they have ambitions of completing the domestic treble.
Ahli face Al Jazira in the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup in nine days before a showdown with former league champions Al Ain in the final of the President's Cup.
Elsewhere, Al Ain kept up their fight for a Champions League spot with a 5-0 destruction of Al Shaab. The Boss have endured a turbulent season, but they were at their clinical best tonight, with striker Asaomah Gyan helping himeslf to a hat-trick. Mohammed Abdulrahman and Yslam Mohamad also chipped in with a goal apiece.
Al Jazira, meanwhile, did themselves few favours in their quest to seal a place in the top-four after slumping to a 3-2 defeat at Emirates Club.
Sultan Berghush gave Jazira the lead but Emirates stormed back with goals from Khaled Shamareikh, Jamal Ibrahim, and Luiz Henrique,
