The 2019/20 Arabian Gulf League season isn’t officially concluded but given the suspension because of coronavirus until August, at the earliest, its continuation – should it resume – would almost feel like a new mini-campaign to check off the remaining seven fixtures.
As such, it seems only fair to acknowledge the players who have performed admirably during the course of the normal campaign.
GOALKEEPER: KHALID AL SENANI (AL DHAFRA)
It’s been a long wait for Al Senani to establish himself as a bona fide No1.
But a second season between the sticks at Dhafra has shown why the 30-year-old is much more than mere back-up to Ali Khaseif at Al Jazira. Statistics show that the skipper has faced a tournament-high 103 attempts, also leading the way with 79 saves.
If he had shown any weakness, the Western Knights would be nowhere near their current sixth spot.
Khalid Al Senani (UAE Pro League).
RIGHT-BACK: SAEED JUMAA (AL AIN)
Al Ain’s production line continues to craft premium talents.
Juma, 21, had flirted with the Al Ain first team before. But 2019/20 was the time when he became an undisputed starter for the UAE’s most-decorated club.
A dribble-success rate of 60.9 per cent points to attacking proficiency, while his 96th-minute winner on the opening day versus Ittihad Kalba is unforgettable. These achievements make the UAE national side’s continued ambivalence towards him perplexing.
Saeed Jumaa (UAE Pro League).
CENTRE-BACK: MOHAMMED MARZOOQ (SHABAB AL AHLI DUBAI CLUB)
Marzooq has undertaken an intrinsic role in the league’s meanest defence.
The 31-year-old competes for every ball, whether on the floor or in the air. His success even saw a run of starts for the UAE at the winter’s Gulf Cup, after more than a year on the outer.
Leaders Shabab Al Ahli boast an enviable contrast between their rugged ex-Al Shabab stalwart and the seasoned Walid Abbas.
Mohammed Marzooq (UAE Pro League).
CENTRE-BACK: GLAUBER (AL NASR)
Glauber’s adaption from the Botafogo Under-20s to first-team football at Nasr has been seamless.
The Brazilian has stood at the forefront of the foreign youngsters allowed into the competition by regulation changes for 2019/20. An impressive 17 starts from 19 top-flight fixtures have followed alongside veteran Mohammed Ali Ayed, whose task is to deal with the physical stuff while his younger colleague builds play.
The Arabian Gulf Cup champions have a 19-year-old gem on their hands.
Glauber (UAE Pro League).
LEFT-BACK: YOUSEF JABER (SHABAB AL AHLI DUBAI CLUB)
Welcome surprise has greeted the evergreen defender’s return to Rashid Stadium.
Jaber, 35, was expected to add depth upon his comeback to Dubai after nine years at Bani Yas. He’s instead served up two goals and five assists for the No1 side in the nation, also earning a recall to the UAE ranks for November’s Gulf Cup after seven years away.
A further individual highlight came with his smart header, in narrow defeat, to 2019 AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal.
Yousef Jaber (UAE Pro League).
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: ABDULLAH RAMADAN (AL JAZIRA)
Jazira’s finely calibrated football is indebted to coach Marcel Keizer’s Dutch upbringing – and Ramadan is an exemplar of this approach.
The 22-year-old is, both, artful in possession – see the delightful throughball to Ali Mabkhout in December’s 5-1 mauling of Al Wasl – and provider of effective cover for the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s defence. This refined understanding – far beyond his age and experience – sets him apart from the rest, earning a breakthrough with the UAE.
A blossoming talent that can only get better from here. Especially with experienced South Africa midfielder Thulani Serero alongside him.
Abdullah Ramadan (UAE Pro League).
CENTRE MIDFIELD: LAHEJ AL NOFALI (HATTA)
A footballer who has proved the adage it’s never too late.
Al Nofali, 30, barely caused a ripple across 24 appearances during Hatta’s previous top-flight stay from 2016-18. Time back in First Division League was, clearly, well utilised.
The ceaseless midfielder has been a catalysing force in the Tornado midfield, providing the industry to partner Daniel Amora’s tranquility.
February’s injury time header to steal a 1-1 draw against fellow promoted side Khor Fakkan could yet be a key moment in the battle against relegation. A free transfer to Shabab Al Ahli for 2020/21 is richly deserved.
Lahej Al Nofali (UAE Pro League).
RIGHT WING: BANDAR AL AHBABI (AL AIN)
Has staked a solid claim to be considered the Middle East’s finest performer in 2019/20.
Relentless pace with the ball at the UAE international’s feet and punishing accuracy with crosses has witnessed a leading 12 assists notched in 17 top-flight run-outs. The 29-year-old has already equalled 2018/19’s top AGL tallies, while also being more than the current pacesetters in the Saudi Professional League and Qatar Stars League.
Bandar Al Ahbabi (UAE Pro League).
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: IGOR CORONADO (SHARJAH)
A stop-start campaign for 2018/19’s leading foreign player could not prevent his enduring quality shining through.
December’s injury on President’s Cup duty for the 27-year-old severely hindered Sharjah’s title defence, plus curbs an individual contribution of seven goals and six assists in 11 AGL run-outs. This stands at one every 79.4 minutes.
The Brazilian was also at his inspired best with a double in October’s rousing 3-2 victory against Al Ain.
Igor Coronado (UAE Pro League).
LEFT WING: KHALID BAWAZIR (AL DHAFRA)
Rich promise was delivered upon, finally, by the 24-year-old this term.
The ex-Al Wasl and Al Wahda attacker has cut swathes through opposition defences as a wide playmaker in the Western Knights’ 5-4-1 formation. His output of seven top-flight assists is a career best, four more – already – than 2018/19’s.
January’s recall to a UAE training camp, for the first time in two years, was merited. This followed a devastating role in December’s 3-1 dismantling of holders Sharjah.
Khalid Bawazir (UAE Pro League).
STRIKER: KODJO FO-DOH LABA (AL AIN)
Al Ain’s Togo international has come to represent an astounding value for money and rightful heir to Asamoah Gyan’s throne.
Laba, 28, was snapped up on a free transfer from Morocco’s RS Berkane last July. A searing 19 goals in 18 top-flight matches followed from the unheralded addition, placing him top of the scoring charts and evoking memories of the Boss’ all-time Ghana legend.
October’s four-goal haul against Fujairah – Al Ain came from behind to win 7-1 – is one of the best individual performances registered this term.
Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (UAE Pro League).
