The last time an Al Nasr striker won the award for top goal scorer in the UAE First Division League was in the season 1982-1983.

It was a Brazilian then: Carlos finishing with 12 goals in 18 matches.

Valder feels teamwork helped him earn laurels.
Although Al Nasr did not win the League title that season, the Brazilian showed his dazzling form and the supporters still remember him fondly as being a true professional to wear the Al Nasr colours.

History has not changed for Al Nasr since. Today, it is a Brazilian once again.

After 22 years, Valder de Morais Felho bagged the top goal scorer's award for Al Nasr, scoring 25 goals in 26 matches. Valder's goals last season helped Al Nasr finish fourth in the League standing. They were the only club to beat the top three giants: Al Wahda the League champions, Al Ain the runners-up - and Al Jazira, who finished third.

Al Nasr scored 11 goals at home against the top three, with Valder scoring seven.

Despite the victories, Valder pointed out that the gap would be widened if the Al Nasr and Dubai club players did not turn professional. "The Abu Dhabi clubs Al Wahda, Al Ain and Al Jazira - are now professional. This helps them perform better," said Valder to Gulf News before leaving for Brazil on a short vacation.

"Professionalism is the language of football today. Without implementing it, football in the UAE will stay where it is" he said.

The Brazilian striker said he was happy with the league's top goal-scorer's title. "It's an excellent achievement for me in my first season in the UAE League. I was not running after the title. I was just looking to score goals and help Al Nasr compete for the title.

"The 25 goals I scored were a result of team work. My colleagues were behind all of them." Valder dedicated the top goal scorer's title to the Al Nasr supporters. "They did a tremendous job in supporting me and the team. This motivated me to give my best."

Valder has renewed his contract with Al Nasr for the coming season. "I feel at home with Al Nasr. The board, players and supporters provide me with everything. The supporters treat me as if I have been playing with them for many years. This has been an important factor in prompting me to renew my contract."

Last season, another Brazilian, Weldon, came to Al Nasr. He, however, returned home after a few games. "Weldon is a young player. This was the first time he had ventured out of Brazil, so it was difficult for him," he said. He declined to comment on the sacking of Al Nasr coach Frank Pajelsdorf and the subsequent appointment of a German coach.