Football fever After a crazy summer of wild rumours, world-class players jetting in and new managers taking the helm – including Diego Maradona – the most hotly anticipated football season in UAE history starts on October 15. Here’s the lowdown on the Pro-League teams, their star players and a guide on who to support…
AL AHLI Formed: 1970 League titles: Five Last season: Eighth Manager: Ivan Hasek Kit: Red/White Stadium: Al-Rashid Stadium, Al Nahda Street, Dubai Capacity: 18,000 Player to watch: Luis Jimenez Summer signing: Grafite alahliclub.ae
PHOTOGRAPHY: PLC
AL WAHDA Formed: 1984 League titles: Four Last season: Fifth Manager: Josef Hickersberger Kit: Burgundy/White Stadium: Al-Nahyan Stadium, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi Capacity: 12,000 Player to watch: Fernando Baiano Summer signing: Masa’ed Neda alwahdaclub.ae
30 WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2011
AL AIN
Most successful club
Formed: 1968 League titles: Nine Last season: Tenth Manager: Cosmin Olaroiu Kit: White/Purple Stadium: Sheikh Tahnoun Stadium, Mohammed Bin Khalifa St, Al Ain Capacity: 15,000 Player to watch: Mirel Radoi Summer signing: Asamoah Gyan alainfc.ae
AL WASL Formed: 1974 League titles: Seven Last season: Sixth Manager: Diego Maradona Kit: Yellow/Black Stadium: Zabeel Stadium, Dubai Capacity: 12,000 Player to watch: Khalid Darwish Summer signing: Edson Puch alwaslsc.ae
Diego Maradona
AJMAN Formed: 1974 League titles: None Last season: Division Two winners (promoted) Manager: Abdul Qader Kit: Orange Stadium: Ajman Stadium, Ajman Capacity: 10,000 Player to watch: Ibrahima Toure Summer signing: Karim Kerkar ajmanclub.ae
BANIYAS Formed: 1982 League titles: None Last season: Runners-up Manager: Jorvan Vieira Kit: White/Blue Stadium: Baniyas Stadium, Baniyas Capacity: 6,000 Player to watch: Andre Senghor Summer signing: David Trezeguet baniyasclub.ae