Knowing that a single point was needed to guarantee the title, Al Shabab players defended carefully while Al Jazira who dominated play, failed to score.

This was the third premier league title for the Slashers, and automatically earned them a place in the first edition of the AFC Professional Champions League competition next season.

Al Shabab rivals Al Jazira earned a narrow 3-2 victory over lowly rated Al Dhafra in the Western region, but had to beat front runners Al Shabab to force a playoff and revive their hopes in the chase for their first ever national league crown.

Before the final match, Al Shabab were showing the way with a three points advantage over Al Jazira after having whipped city rivals Al Wasl 5-0 and had their chances to take the title providing that Al Jazira were upset by Al Dhafra.

The curtains will be pulled down on the last amateur competition of the UAE etisalat league on Sunday with a battle for the third place between the President’s Cup winners Al Ahli and former champions Al Ain.

Sharjah have good chance to improve their position should they win and Al Ain lose to end the season among the first four.

In the event the three sides finish level they will lock horns in the play-offs for the other two berths for the AFC Champions League along with Al Shabab and Al Jazira.

Al Sha’ab were with the early leaders, but slipped to the sixth position and may drop to finish seventh or even eighth unless they manage to win their final away game.

The Abu Dhabi giants Al Wahda and defending champions Al Wasl may finish seventh and eighth on the final league table.

Al Wahda need a miracle to proceed to the knock off stage of the AFC Champions League while Al Wasl were already ejected from the competition.

The Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Hatta were relegated to the second division after having failed to improve in the concluding stages of the tough competition.