2010–11 UAE Pro League explained

Competition:	UAE Football League
Season:	2010–11
Winners:	Al Jazira 1st title
Relegated:	Al Dhafra Ittihad Kalba
League Topscorer:	André Senghor (16)
Biggest Home Win:	Al Wahda 6–1 Sharjah (15 May 2011)^[1] Dubai 6–4 Al Dhafra (20 May 2011)^[2]
Biggest Away Win:	Sharjah 3–5 Baniyas (13 December 2010)^[3] ^[4]
Highest Scoring:	Dubai 6–4 Al Dhafra (20 May 2011)
Matches:	126
Total Goals:	425
Highest Attendance:	36,241 Al Jazira – Dubai
Prevseason:	2009–10
Nextseason:	2011–12

The 2010–11 UAE Pro League season (known as Etisalat Pro League for sponsorship reasons) was the 36th edition of top-level football in the United Arab Emirates. This was the third Professional season in the history of the country. Al Wahda were defending champions from the 2009–10 campaign. Ajman and Emirates were relegated from the previous season. Dubai and Ittihad Kalba were promoted from the UAE First Division 1 Group A. The campaign began on 26 August 2010 and ended on 9 June 2011.^[5]

After being runner-up for three times in a row, Al Jazira secured their 1st Pro League title after beating Al Wasl 4–0 on 16 May 2011,^[6] becoming the third club to achieve the double in country's history after Al Nasr in 1986 and Al Wasl in 2007.^[7]

Teams

Ajman and Emirates were relegated to the second-level league after finishing in the bottom two in the 2009–10 season. The two relegated teams were replaced by second level champions Ittihad Kalba and runners up Dubai.

Stadia and locations

Team	Home city	Stadium	Capacity
Al Ahli	Dubai	Rashed Stadium	18,000
Al Ain	Al Ain	Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium	15,000
Al Dhafra	Madinat Zayed	Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium	12,000
Al Jazira	Abu Dhabi	Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium	42,056
Al Nasr	Dubai	Al-Maktoum Stadium	12,000
Al Shabab	Dubai	Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium	12,000
Al Wahda	Abu Dhabi	Al-Nahyan Stadium	12,000
Al Wasl	Dubai	Zabeel Stadium	12,000
Baniyas	Abu Dhabi	Bani Yas Stadium	6,000
Dubai	Dubai	Police Officers Club Stadium	6,500
Ittihad Kalba	Kalba	Ittihad Kalba Club Stadium	3,000
Sharjah	Sharjah	Sharjah Stadium	18,000

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team	Chairman	Head coach	Captain	Kitmaker	Shirt sponsor
Al Ahli	Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah	Abdulhameed Al Mishtiki	Fabio Cannavaro	Adidas	Toshiba
Al Ain	Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan	Alexandre Gallo	Ali Al-Wehaibi	Macron	First Gulf Bank
Al Dhafra	Saif bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed	Mohammad Kwid	Mohammed Salem Al Saedi	BURRDA	ADCO
Al Jazira	Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan	Abel Braga	Ibrahim Diaky	Adidas	IPIC
Al Nasr	Maktoum bin Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum	Walter Zenga	Abdallah Mousa	Erreà	Emirates NBD
Al Shabab	Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum	Paulo Bonamigo	Adeel Abdullah	Erreà	emaratech
Al Wahda	Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan	Josef Hickersberger	Basheer Saeed	Nike	EMAL
Al Wasl	Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum	Khalifa Mubarak	Khalid Darwish	Nike	Saif Belhasa Group of Companies
Baniyas	Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan	Mahdi Ali	Fawzi Bashir	Erreà	Secure Project Management
Dubai	Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum	Junior dos Santos	Ali Hassan	Umbro	N/A
Ittihad Kalba	Saeed bin Saqr Al Qasimi	Jorvan Vieira	Grégory Dufrennes	Adidas	Gillett Group
Sharjah	Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani	Abdul Majid	Abdullah Suhail	N/A	Saif-Zone

Managerial changes

Pre-season

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Replaced by
Al Ain	Abdulhameed Al Mishtiki (caretaker)	Appointed on permanent role^[8]	Abdulhameed Al Mishtiki
Al Wasl	Alexandre Guimarães	Contract not renewed^[9]	Sérgio Farias
Al Ahli	Henk ten Cate	Resigned^[10]	David O'Leary
Al Wahda	Josef Hickersberger	Contract not renewed^[11]	László Bölöni

During the season

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Replaced by
Al Wahda	László Bölöni	Sacked^[12]	Tite^[13]
Al Wahda	Tite	Resigned^[14]	Josef Hickersberger^[15]
Al Dhafra	Michel Decastel	Sacked^[16]	Alexandre Guimarães
Al Nasr	Hélio dos Anjos	Sacked	Eid Baroot (caretaker)
Dubai	Ayman El Ramady	Sacked	Junior dos Santos
Al Ain	Abdulhameed Al Mishtiki	Sacked^[17]	Alexandre Gallo
Al Nasr	Eid Baroot	Full-time coach appointed	Walter Zenga
Al Ahli	David O'Leary	Sacked^[18]	Abdulhameed Al Mishtiki
Al Wasl	Sérgio Farias	Sacked^[19]	Khalifa Mubarak
Baniyas	Lotfi Benzarti	Sacked^[20]	Mahdi Ali
Al Sharjah	Manuel Cajuda	Sacked^[21]	Abdul Majid

Foreign players

Club	Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	Player 4	Former player(s)
Al Ahli	Pinga	Fabio Cannavaro	Karim El Ahmadi		Aristide Bancé
Al Ain	Elias	Brahima Keita	Jumaa Saeed	Valentin Badea	José Sand André Dias
Al Dhafra	Filipe Machado	Mohamed Sylla	Boris Kabi	Abass Lawal	Toufik Zerara Mohamed Berrabeh
Al Jazira	Matías Delgado	Baré	Ricardo Oliveira	Ibrahim Diaky	Antonin Koutouan
Al Nasr	Careca	Léo Lima	Ismaël Bangoura		Carlos Tenorio
Al Shabab	Ciel	Júlio César	Carlos Villanueva
Al Wahda	Fernando Baiano	Hugo	Magrão		Modibo Kane Diarra
Al Wasl	Alexandre Oliveira	Alex Pires	Mohammed Al-Balushi	Francisco Yeste
Baniyas	Mustafa Karim	Rafael Uiterloo	Fawzi Bashir	André Senghor	Éder Gaúcho
Dubai	Rachid Tiberkanine	Gil Bala	Michaël N'dri	Aboubacar Camara	Mounir Diane Yazid Kaïssi
Ittihad Kalba	Abdulla Baba Fatadi	Kanú	Grégory Dufrennes	Simon Feindouno	Matheus Martins Khadim Diouf Moustapha Dabo
Sharjah	Gustavo	Marcelinho	Robinho		Marcelão

League table

Season statistics

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Club	Goal(s)
1	André Senghor	Baniyas	18
2	Marcelinho	Sharjah	12
	Ibrahim Diaky	Al Jazira
4	Baré	Al Jazira	11
	Pinga	Al Wahda
	Grégory Dufrennes	Ittihad Kalba
	Boris Kabi	Al Dhafra
8	Júlio César	Al Shabab	10
	Ismaël Bangoura	Al Nasr
	Francisco Yeste	Al Wasl
11	Fernando Baiano	Al Wahda	9
	Ricardo Oliveira	Al Jazira
13	Michaël N'dri	Dubai	8
	Omar Abdulrahman	Al Ain

Source: Etisalat Pro-League – Top goalscorers
Last updated:2 June 2011

Scoring

• First goal of the season: Abass Lawal for Al Dhafra against Al Ahli, 35 minutes and 19 seconds (27 August 2010).
• First penalty kick of the season: 56 minutes and 44 seconds – Marcelinho (scored) for Al Sharjah against Al Jazira (2 September 2010).^[22]
• Fastest goal in a match: 2 minutes – Hugo for Al Wahda against Al Shabab (27 October 2010).^[23]
• Goal scored at the latest point in a match: 94 minutes and 47 seconds – Jumaa Abdullah for Al Jazira against Al Wasl (16 May 2011).^[24]
• Widest winning margin: 6 Goals
  • Al Wahda 6–1 Al Sharjah (15 May 2011).^[1]
  • Dubai 6–4 Al Dhafra (20 May 2011).^[2]
• Most goals in a match by one team: 6 Goals
  • Al Wahda 6–1 Al Sharjah (15 May 2011).^[1]
  • Dubai 6–4 Al Dhafra (20 May 2011).^[2]
• Most goals scored by losing team: 4 goals
  • Dubai 6–4 Al Dhafra (20 May 2011).^[2]
• Most goals in a match by one player: 3 goals
  • André Senghor for Bani Yas against Ittihad Kalba (26 September 2010)^[25]
  • Boris Kabi for Al Dhafra against Al Wahda (23 December 2010)^[26]
  • Ismail Matar for Al Wahda against Ittihad Kalba (19 February 2011)^[27]
• Hat-tricks of the season:
  • André Senghor for Bani Yas against Ittihad Kalba (26 September 2010)^[25]
  • Boris Kabi for Al Dhafra against Al Wahda (23 December 2010)^[26]
  • Ismail Matar for Al Wahda against Ittihad Kalba (19 February 2011)^[27]

Discipline

• First yellow card of the season: Fabio Cannavaro for Al Ahli against Al Dhafra, 9 minutes (27 August 2010).^[28]
• First red card of the season: Darwish Ahmed for Al Wasl against Al Ahli, 90 minutes (1 September 2010).^[29]
• Card given at latest point in a game:

Abdallah Ahmed (yellow) at 90+3 for Al Nasr against Al Dhafra (28 May 2011).^[30]

Rank	Team	Games
align=center	1	Al Nasr	align=center	21	align=center	56	align=center	1
	Al Jazira	align=center	21	align=center	57	align=center	2
align=center	3	Ittihad Kalba	align=center	21	align=center	58	align=center	1
align=center	4	Al Ahli	align=center	21	align=center	48	align=center	5
align=center	5	Al Shabab	align=center	21	align=center	45	align=center	3
align=center	6	Al Ain	align=center	21	align=center	44	align=center	2
align=center	7	Al Dhafra	align=center	21	align=center	39	align=center	3
	Al Wasl	align=center	21	align=center	39	align=center	6
align=center	9	Al Wahda	align=center	21	align=center	42	align=center	2
align=center	10	Al Sharjah	align=center	21	align=center	32	align=center	6
align=center	11	Bani Yas	align=center	21	align=center	32	align=center	1
align=center	12	Dubai	align=center	21	align=center	29	align=center	1
Totals			521	33

Source: Yellow Cards, Red Cards
Last updated: 2 June 2011

Average attendance

Source:^[31]

• Al-Jazira 15,922^[32]
• Al-Wasl 3,240
• Al-Ain FC 4,950
• Al Wahda FC 3,608
• Al-Ahli 2,513
• Baniyas 2,317
• Al-Nasr 1,703
• Al-Shabab 1,065
• Sharjah 1,501
• Al-Dhafra 802
• Dubai CSC 900
• Kalba 659

See also

• 2010–11 UAE President's Cup
• 2010–11 Etisalat Emirates Cup

External links

• UFL Official Website
• Football Association The UAE Football Association

Notes and References

1. Web site: Al Wahda 6–1 Al Sharjah. UFL. 15 May 2011. 16 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607092641/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=235#. 7 June 2011. dead.
2. Web site: Dubai 6–4 Al Dhafra. UFL. 20 May 2011. 21 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121211/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=242#. 17 July 2011. dead.
3. Web site: Al Sharjah 3–5 Bani Yas. UFL. 13 December 2010. 9 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607091420/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=59#. 7 June 2011. dead.
4. Web site: Bani Yas overcome hosts Sharjah 5–3 to chase leaders Al Jazira. UFL. 13 December 2010. 25 April 2011.
5. Web site: match schedule for upcoming ufl season unveiled. ProLeague.ae. 22 July 2010. 5 May 2011.
6. Web site: Al Jazira crown themselves champions with a 4–0 win over Al Wasl. UFL. 16 May 2011. 17 May 2011.
7. Web site: Al Jazira at a distance of 3 points to achieve the Double and go down in history. Dar Al Hayat. 15 May 2011. 17 May 2011. ar. 17 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120317050128/http://international.daralhayat.com/internationalarticle/266702. dead.
8. News: Al Mishtiki stays on with Al Ain . The National . 21 June 2010 . 21 June 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182053/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100622%2FSPORT%2F706219842%2F1031 . 3 March 2016 . dead .
9. News: Farias moves to UAE's Al Wasl . https://archive.today/20120525035639/http://www.the-afc.com/en/member-association-news/west-asia-news/29631-farias-moves-to-uaes-al-wasl . dead . 25 May 2012 . The AFC . 6 July 2010 . 6 July 2010 .
10. News: O'Leary is new Al Ahli coach . The AFC . 5 July 2010 . 5 July 2010.
11. News: Boloni is Wahda's new manager. The National. 23 May 2010. 23 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232736/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100524%2FSPORT%2F705239888%2F1063. 3 March 2016. dead.
12. News: Al Wahda sack coach after win. The National. 2 September 2010. 2 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204051/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100902%2FSPORT%2F100909956%2F1004. 3 March 2016. dead.
13. News: Brazilian Tite to replace sacked coach at Wahda. The National. 3 September 2010. 3 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191630/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100903%2FSPORT%2F709029814%2F1063. 3 March 2016. dead.
14. News: Champions Wahda rocked by Tite. The National . 18 October 2010 . 18 October 2010.
15. News: Hickersberger back to steady ship. The National . 21 October 2010 . 21 October 2010.
16. News: Coaches on the move in the Pro League. The National . 12 December 2010 . 12 December 2010.
17. News: Al Mishtiki out, Gallo comes in at Al Ain as coach. The National . 21 December 2010 . 21 December 2010.
18. News: Al Ahli to continue importing following David O'Leary dismissal. The National . 23 April 2011 . 23 April 2011.
19. News: Khalifa takes the reins for Al Wasl against Kalba. The National . 24 April 2011 . 24 April 2011.
20. News: Bani Yas dismiss coach Al Banzarti and Mahdi takes over. UFL. 10 April 2011. 25 April 2011.
21. Web site: Sharjah become the latest club to part with their coach in Pro League merry-go-round. The National. 22 May 2011 . 22 May 2011.
22. Web site: Al Sharjah 1–2 Al Jazira. UFL. 2 September 2010. 8 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607093201/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=15#. 7 June 2011. dead.
23. Web site: Al Wahda 5–2 Al Shabab. UFL. 27 October 2010. 8 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607091411/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=51#. 7 June 2011. dead.
24. Web site: Al Wasl 0–4 Al Jazira. UFL. 16 May 2011. 21 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607091353/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=239#. 7 June 2011. dead.
25. Web site: Bani Yas 4–2 Ittihad Kalba. UFL. 26 September 2010. 9 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607090937/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=28#. 7 June 2011. dead.
26. Web site: Al Wahda 2–4 Al Dhafra. UFL. 23 December 2010. 9 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607100400/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=70#. 7 June 2011. dead.
27. Web site: Ittihad Kalba 5–3 Al Wahda. UFL. 19 February 2011. 9 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121014/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=208#. 17 July 2011. dead.
28. Web site: Al Dhafra 2–0 Al Ahli. UFL. 27 August 2010. 8 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717122343/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=6#. 17 July 2011. dead.
29. Web site: Al Ahli 4–1 Al Wasl. UFL. 1 September 2010. 8 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121152/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=13#. 17 July 2011. dead.
30. Web site: Al Dhafra 1–4 Al Nasr. UFL. 28 May 2011. 30 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607081923/http://www.ufl.ae/en/content/match/report/?season_id=1&season_competition_id=5&id=249#. 7 June 2011. dead.
31. Web site: Etisalat Pro-League Match Attendances on the Increase - News - UAE Pro League Committee .
32. Web site: Al Jazira giving fans chance to win a Ferrari or Dh1m at home games | the National . 5 April 2017 . 6 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170406021748/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/al-jazira-giving-fans-chance-to-win-a-ferrari-or-dh1m-at-home-games . dead .