Lot to play for in final round of Arabian Gulf League season

CAPTION: Al Jazira's Ali Mabkhout vies for the ball against Al Shabab goalkeeper Salem Abdulla (left) during their Arabian Gulf League match in Abu Dhabi.

After what seemed liked eons, Al Jazira will quite rightly get to bask in the glory of a second Arabian Gulf League title at their fortress - the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday evening.
The confetti, sparklers and fireworks are all in place as the Pride of Abu Dhabi will be handed the Arabian Gulf League Shield. Before that though, there is the small matter of playing Al Dhafra in their final League fixture of the season.
But Henk ten Cate's men won't be distracted by the impending festivities and coronation and celebrations will be on hold as a number of records stare at them. And it would be all the more sweeter to top things off with a victory as it will stretch their proud and envious record at home.
Al Jazira have won all their 12 fixtures at home, with their two losses and two draws coming on the road. The Abu Dhabi club are also on the brink of breaking the most number of points in a season. They currently are perched at the top with 65 points and will overhaul Al Ahli's record haul of 66 points, set last season, if they win against Al Dhafra, on the morrow.
Individually, their Emirati frontman Ali Ahmed Mabkhout, who has been in sparkling form this season, is at the cusp of smashing the League's goalscoring record. Mabkhout is currently level with Asamoah Gyan's goalscoring record of 31 goals set in the 2012-13 season with Al Ain.
"We look forward to achieving a unique achievement, win all the games at home this season. And I hope that the players draw their full focus when facing Al Dhafra and ignore the festive atmosphere surrounding them, temporarily," Henk ten Cate, said at his pre-match press briefing.
And while it will be their night on Friday, a lot of things will be put to bed on Saturday evening. The race is well and truly on to finish second and third, with it an automatic AFC Champions League spot for the taking, next season.
Al Wasl currently sit second with 54 points, while dethroned champions Al Ahli are a point behind with 53 points. Al Ain lurk in fourth on 52 points. Al Wasl are away to Hatta, while Al Ahli host already relegated Bani Yas at the Rashid Stadium. Al Ain are at home at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium to Ittihad Kalba.
At the bottom end, Emirates, Dibba and Ittihad Kalba will be trying to make sure that they don't suffer the same fate as Bani Yas.
james@khaleejtimes.com