The curtains are drawn and the stars are set to reclaim centre stage, as tonight’s Arabian Gulf League kick-off heralds the start of a vintage campaign ahead.
There was no doubt about last season’s bill toppers, the fractious summer arrival of coach Cosmin Olaroiu catalysing Al Ahli’s transformation into the biggest draw in town. The Red Knights raced out of sight as traditional heavyweights Al Ain and Al Jazira stumbled, 16 points the eventual gap between themselves and resurgent second-placed finishers Al Wahda.
Ahli’s rivals can certainly not be accused of accepting this dominance. Spurred on rather than daunted by the treble winners’ achievements in the top flight, Arabian Gulf Cup and UAE Super Cup, a flood of top players have swelled the ranks of the challenging pack.
Coach Zlatko Dalic has been a revelation since joining the Boss in March, domestic and continental success are now real possibilities for the AFC Champions League semi-finalists.
The Croatian has re-energised topscorer Asamoah Gyan and the UAE’s great hope Omar Abdulrahman, while crafting a modern-facing side packed with pace and skill following the additions of Miroslav Stoch, Lee Myung-joo and Mohammed Fawzi.
For Jazira, Mirko Vucinic boasts 14 years of esteemed Serie A service, Jonathan Pitroipa was the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament and a real gem has been heisted from River Plate with the acquisition of playmaker Manuel Lanzini making up for the loss of 10-goal midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada to Marseille.
The most important new face will need to be coach Eric Gerets, the ex-Belgium international full-back must tighten a defence that was the top half’s most generous last term.
Ahli have chosen a different tact, selecting the cream of the domestic-based talent. Rising UAE talisman Habib Fardan has come in at some cost, Mirel Radoi is reunited with Olaroiu while Nawaf Mubarak showed an eye for goal at Bani Yas.
The Red Knights are now seasoned veterans. Grafite, Ciel, Luis Jimenez and Radoi are all over 30, Mubarak clocks in at 33. Olaroiu remains confident his team are not over the hill. Fardan’s arrival will lessen the age gap to sprightly Al Ain and Jazira, the 23-year-old adding legs and a goal threat from midfield after bagging nine times for Al Nasr in 2013-14.
The challengers extend beyond the usual contenders in a division full of depth.
Coach Jose Peseiro worked miracles following his November arrival at Wahda, inspiring his charges to move up from mid-table with victory in eight of their last 10 fixtures.
Bani Yas have bought smartly. Joan Verdu, Angel Dealbert and ex- Sharjah loanee Kim Jung-woo were adroitly selected by Spanish sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch and are to be led by Luis Garcia. A rise from ninth seems academic, especially with UAE heartbeat Amer Abdulrahman having recovered from a serious knee injury.
Al Wasl also look set for better times. Boss Jorginho won the World Cup as a player with Brazil and has raided his native market in a bid to drag the traditional powerhouse up from 12th. The Brazilian theme extends to a Sharjah side that came so close to securing ACL qualification upon their top-flight return, only to lose two of their three deciding matches.
Leo Lima and Fardan have departed Nasr, but there is no need to panic. They could have unearthed a star in Ivan Jovanovic protégé Ivan Trickovski.
The positivity does not extend all the way through the league, however. Al Shabab appear to be treading water at best even though coach Caio Junior lifted the 2012 President’s Cup with Jazira.
Al Dhafra have added exciting Argentina international winger Matias Defederico and kept hold of leading marksman Makhete Diop, though a third-consecutive eighth-placed finish will represent success.
Contrasting fortunes for the promoted teams seem certain. Fujairah strove for the stars in trying to add Jorge Valdivia, that failed bid being more than compensated by the acquisitions of Algeria’s World Cup selections Madjid Bougherra and Hassan Yebda.
Abdulwahab Abdulqadir seems in possession of a squad capable of repeating Sharjah’s feat.
Ittihad Kalba, last season’s Division One champions, look far less accomplished. The relegation spots will surely be filled by two of themselves, Ajman and an Emirates Club wracked by internal problems
Disruptions to the fixture list caused by November’s Gulf Cup and January’s Asian Cup will throw curveballs few can predict the outcome of. All that is certain is Ahli will face a much stiffer task in a season to savour.