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Al Jazira celebrate moments of joy for winning the double to make history for the first time

 

The Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi was turned this evening into a huge party venue when Al Jazira Football Team celebrated moments of glory with their big and loyal fans for winning double trophy this season for the first time in their history. They ended the season with a 4-2 victory over Dubai in their final Etisalat Pro- League match.

Al Jazira were crowned champions of the Etisalat Pro-League on 53 points in an unforgettable night at their home pitch. H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Honorary President of Al Jazira Club and H.H Sheikh Hazaa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan the National Security Advisor, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council gave away the trophy and the golden medals to Al Jazira players along with their technical and administrative bodies. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi Chairman of UAE Football Association, Dr. Tariq Al Tayer Chairman of the UAE Football League along with a number of sports dignitaries and a big mass of spectators attended the occasion.

Brazilian player Ricardo Oliveira put the hosts into the lead with only five minutes to go. He collected the ball outside the box, rounded up two players before sending a rocket-like volley that beat Dubai's hapless goalkeeper and went straight into the left hand corner. Oliveira was to add the second goal, but his fierce shot was deflected by the keeper before being cleared away by a defender nine minutes later. The league champions went on controlling the game and their continuous work soon yielded the second goal when Brazilian Bare jumped high to slam the ball home which was switched from the left flank by Salah Obaid in the 22nd minute. Khalid Sabeel made it 3-0 in the 29th minute when he received a pass in the box, faced the goalie before sending a strong shot into the roof of the net. Oliveira squandered a nice sitter when he was put clear by Ibrahima Diaky, but his shot flew over the cross bar in the 35th minute Al Jazira's advancing Juma'a Abdullah ended the first session with a 4-0 win for his side with a perfect header off a stand ball switched by Salah Obaid from the left flank one minute before the break.

 The visitors made some good efforts after the interval hoping to reduce the deficit and their player Ali Hassan made their dreams come true when he scored their first goal in the 65th minute. Abu Baker Camara came close to score the second goal in the 69th minute with a strong shot but keeper Ali Khusaif saved bravely. Salah Obaid touched the ball with his hand inside the box for a penalty and Ridha Abdul Hadi made no mistake to make it 4-2 in the 73rd minute. The two teams exerted some hard efforts creating a number of chances but they failed to add more goals ending the game with a 4-2 for Al Jazira.

On the other hand Dubai-based Al Nasr finished the season taking third position following their 2-1 win over hosts Kalba. The winners raised their tally to 35 points to secure a berth in the 2012 AFC Champions League. Rodrigo Careca netted the first goal for Al Nasr in the 53rd minute and his teammate Mohammad Hassan Darweesh made it 2-0 ten minutes later before Mohammad Mal Allah scored Kalba's lone goal in the 78th minute. Al Nasr's player Darweesh Ahmad was given marching orders two minutes from the final whistle.

Bani Yas preserved their second place on 41 points with a 2-1 victory over visitors Al Ahli in the game played at their home ground. Their Senegalian player Andre Sengahoor scored twice in the 44th and 82nd minutes to win the scorers title with 18 goals. Tariq Ahmad netted the lone goal of Al Alhi in the 64th minute. Al Ahli are in 8th place with 27 points.

Al Shabab moved one step forward to stay 4th spot with 34 points after beating visiting squad Al Ain 3-0. Julio Cesar scored two goals in the 53rd and 65th minutes and Essa Obaid secured the result for the winners making it 3-0 in the 72nd minute. The losers are in 10th spot with 25 points.

Al Dhafra held Al Wahda to a 1-1 draw in their game played at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium in the Western Region. Al Wahda are classified in 5th spot on 31 points while the hosts Al Dhafra who relegated to First Division have added one point to raise their tally to 13 points. Mohammad Al Shehhy put Al Wahda into the lead in the 66th minute and Yasir Abdullah levelled the score 8 minutes to time.