Abu Dhabi: There were some surprises in store at the Arabian Gulf League Award 2016-17 held on Monday night at the Eithad Towers in the capital.
As expected, Emirati Player Ali Mabkhout who was simply in a class of his own this season for Al Jazira with a record 33 goals, walked away with the Golden Ball Award and the Best Emirati Player, but his Dutch coach Henk ten Cate missed out on the Leader Award to Cosmin Olaroiu of Al Ahli.
Ten Cate’s Jazira had become the first team to win 22 matches since the league turned professional and finished with a whopping 68 points. He also had made sure that Jazira kept a 100 per cent win record at home — 13 in all. However, Olaroiu, whose team finished third in the AGL league with 56 points, walking away the top award raised quite a few eyebrows.
“I’m not at all surprised with the title. We won the Arabian Gulf Super Cup and the Emirati Moroccan Super Cup and the Arabian Gulf League Cup and I feel that is an achievement. We are still in fray in the AFC Champions League,” said Olaroiu, adding that the trophy would inspire the team to go all the way in the Continental showpiece event.
“I think we have played really well this season and you cannot win the title always. It is the way we have performed overall that we have to see and I’m happy with that. I think this title of mine would inspire the team to achieve greater heights,” added the Romanian, who was claiming his third title in five seasons.
Mabkhout, whose 33 goals was also the all-time best and eclipsed the previous record of 31 held by Ghanaian star Asamoah Gyan set in the 2012-13 season, though elated with the double delight didn’t mince words in expressing his displeasure over his coach missing out on the Leader Award.
“I’m upset because I think coach Henk ten Cate deserved to win the Leader Award as he is the best coach. But this is not to say that Cosmin is not a great coach but ten Cate this season won the league and Al Jazira broke the record this season,” said Mabkhout, who also ended up being selected in the Best XI.
“I’m very happy to win these awards and I won it only because all my teammates and coach worked together this season. I look to carry the same form in the coming season,” added the 26-year-old.
The Golden Boy Award for the upcoming talent was bagged by Khalfan Mubarak of Al Jazira ahead of Jasem Yaqoob of Al Nasr and Mohammad Al Akbari of Al Wahda. Al Jazira’s goalkeeper Ali Kasheif, who has been simply exceptional under the bar all through the season, conceding just 15 goals, pocketed the Golden Glove Award ahead of Majid Naser of Al Ahli and Khalid Eisa of Al Ain.
The Golden Ball for Foreign Player was bagged by Brazilians Fabio de Lima and was beaming with excitement with the achievement.
“I did everything that I could. I had given my 100 per cent and then to get this reward is an absolute delight. We finished second in AGL and all credit to our coach and the entire team. We will come back strongly next year,” said de Lima.
The Best Professional Club award went to Al Wahda Club.
