Al Ain, Ahli & Jazira not the only AGL title contenders

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  • Bossing it: Al Ain celebrate their 2014/15 Arabian Gulf League title success.

    The 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League begins tonight with a pre-season full of impressive dealings setting the stage for an intriguing battle.

    Deposed champions Al Ahli have the honour of kicking off against Fujairah, a side looking to go from strength-to-strength in their second top-flight campaign in a row.

    The Red Knights – boosted by the arrival of deadly Benfica front man Lima – will engage in an exciting fight for the title which should contain a wider set of challengers than ever before.

    Holders Al Ain are the team to beat after they romped to a nine-point winning margin, though hugely-impressive remodelling from runners-up Al Jazira, Al Nasr, Al Wahda and even eighth-placed Bani Yas mean contenders come from across the 14-team division.

    The Boss gave hope to their rivals by selling talismanic striker Asamoah Gyan to Shanghai SIPG for a record €20 million (Dh81m) in July, yet Saturday’s 4-2 season-opening crushing of President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup winners Nasr in the Arabian Gulf Super Cup shows they will be as strong as ever when they play Al Dhafra on Friday.

    “It’s good to start the season with a trophy,” coach Zlatko Dalic said. “It gives the players motivation.

    “I hope to compete and fight our way to achieving our goals at the local and continental levels.”

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    Question marks surrounded the original top-flight start date as continued political in-fighting in Kuwait about the authorised decision to delay December’s Gulf Cup by one year saw a mid-September beginning proposed. 

    Television coverage is to be encrypted for the first time by broadcasters Abu Dhabi Sports, a Dh19-per-month package required.

    The baking mid-August heat and ongoing distraction of the UAE’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign could also be factors.

    But there can be no doubt about the stellar names now present. 

    The Pride of Abu Dhabi have legendary coach Abel Braga back in the dugout after a glorious previous spell from 2008-11, Peru forward Jefferson Farfan, Brazil attacking midfielder Thiago Neves and South Korea defensive midfielder Park Jong-woo among those joining him.

    Al Ain have lost Gyan, though replacement Emmanuel Emenike struck a brace against the Blue Wave last weekend. 

    Al Wahda are set to welcome playmaker Jorge Valdivia back to the UAE – he previously excelled for the Boss from 2008-10 – after a standout Copa America for winners Chile, while third-placed usurpers Al Shabab have gambled Brazil 2014 World Cup centre forward Jo will rediscover his best form.

    “I have an aspiration to work my way into the history of the Arabian Gulf League,” the 28-year-old said. “I hope I can go forward.”

    As ever, heavyweights Al Ain, Jazira and Ahli are expected to compete for top honours. But with the talent continuing in mid-table and below, surprise packages could lift the President’s Cup and AG Cup or even crash the AFC Champions League and GCC Club Cup qualification spots.

    Bani Yas have finally lured key Australia defensive midfielder Mark Milligan to the capital, Al Dhafra have kept lethal striker Makhete Diop, Fujairah have acq-uired Serbian SuperLiga top scorer Patrick Friday Eze and even newly-promoted Al Shaab have made the impressive recruitment of Egypt midfielder Amr Al Sulaya.

    Ahli boss Cosmin Olaroiu is sure a gripping campaign will ensue.

    He said: “This season will be the most balanced season that I am here for (Olaroiu first bossed Al Ain in 2011, defecting to Ahli two years later). All the teams have improved.
    “I think there will be teams we have to consider, maybe Bani Yas, who nobody thought of before.”

    The bottom two will face the ignominious drop to UAE Division 1 Group A. Lower league champions Dibba Al Fujairah and Shaab are the early favourites, though Emirates Club – despite Brett Holman’s arrival – and Sharjah might worry.

    The King avoided demotion by only one place last term, but coach Paulo Bonamigo is convinced better days await.

    “Sharjah have arrived at an advanced stage of readiness,” he said. “Our training camp was well worked out to be ready for Friday’s first match in front of Al Shabab.”

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