Dubai: Swedish striker Marcus Berg signed off with a hat-trick as Al Ain wrapped up a record 13th Arabian Gulf League (AGL) crown with a 4-0 pounding of Al Nasr with one round still to go on Saturday.
With challengers and second-placed Al Wahda caving in to a shock 2-3 loss at home against Ajman, Al Ain are now assured of their first trophy of the season with one match still remaining against relegation-threatened Al Dhafra next week.
The Boss — who are marking their golden jubilee this year — are still in the running for a second domestic trophy as they are drawn to face Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in the semi-finals of the President’s Cup on April 25. Al Ain’s record is destined to stand for a long time as Al Wasl are second best with seven titles against their name.
Playing before a handy crowd of supporters at Al Aweer, Al Ain took their time in testing the home team’s defensive capabilities. Once they had gauged it, they struck on a couple of occasions late in the first half — before Berg completed his hat-trick in the second half to take his season tally to 21 goals in the AGL this season.
The 31-year-old Berg opened the scoring in the 35th minute when he was left unmarked at the far post. The nippy Caio Fernandes made a run down the left and relayed to Omar Abdul Rahman, whose first-timer landed at the feet of the lanky Swede for an easy tap-in and send the away supporters into frenzy.
Berg struck a second time a minute before the break, and once again it was the speedy Caio doing the hard work as he raced down the left and sent in a first time cross that the Swede duly headed in to put his team certainly on the victory trail.
With the game opening out in the second half, it was Al Ain taking full control as they maintained a tight grip on play. The entry of young Rayan Yaslam had an immediate impact as the winger sent in a pinpoint cross for Berg to head in strongly to the far corner and complete a well-deserved hat-trick.
Japanese Tsukasa Shiotani then saw his goal being disallowed for an offside following a VAR referral in the 84th minute. However, The Boss managed a fourth goal deep into injury period as Omar broke away and relayed for an unmarked Ahmad Khalil to place to the far left of Shambieh and start off the celebrations.
Still in contention for a spot in next season’s AFC Champions League, Al Nasr remained stuck in fourth with 36 points after neighbours Al Wasl had displaced them with a 2-0 win over already relegated Hatta late on Friday. Al Nasr now have their task cut out as only a win against 10th placed Emirates Club will do for the BurDubai side’s aspiration of playing in the continental competition for clubs.
RESULTS
Al Wahda 2 Ajman 3
Al Nasr 0 Al Ain 4
