Dubai: Al Wasl's seventh first division league crown is almost a foregone conclusion now, according to Shaikh Butti Al Maktoum, former chairman of the club's board of directors.
"It's all over. Al Wasl are hundred per cent league champions," he said after they beat Al Ahli 3-1 and took their points tally to 44, two more than the second placed Al Wahda.
Shaikh Butti, who saw the club claiming six league titles between 1992 - 1997 when he was board chairman, was confident that Al Wasl had settled the issue after beating Al Ahli despite the fact that there is still one away match remaining.
Dubai Club, who have been relegated to the second division after losing against Al Wahda, are unlikely to be motivated and will not be a tough nut to crack for Al Wasl when they meet next Sunday.
The club now have 16 points at the bottom of the standings and the only incentive for them to win the match against Al Wasl is to avoid being handed the wooden spooners' tag.
However, this may not be a big enough incentive as they already have been relegated and a win or defeat would mean little.
Al Wasl coach Ze Mario, however, said that they have to work hard in their last match against Dubai Club as nothing should be taken for granted in football.
"We cannot say we are champions until we win the match and clinch the three points.
"It's true that Dubai Club has been relegated, but this is football and no one can guarantee anything until the referee's final whistle."
Al Wasl, by winning the league title, will add to the President's Cup which they won last month after beating Al Ain 4-1 in Abu Dhabi. It will be a historic 'double' for the club.
Tough task
Meanwhile, Al Wahda's hopes of winning the title look difficult, if not impossible. They have to beat Al Nasr in their last match and also wait for Al Wasl to lose against Dubai Club or at least draw with them.
Al Wahda blew their chances of winning the title because of two defeats - the first was when they lost 3-0 at home to Al Wasl, and the second when they were whipped 4-1 by Al Ahli.
Barring these two defeats, they could have moved on to be crowned champions comfortably.
