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HomeSportsThe Garden City Giants Return to the Summit of UAE football

The Garden City Giants Return to the Summit of UAE football

After a sensational 5-0 victory against Sharjah and brushing off a difficult loss to Al Wahda in the ADIB Cup final, Al Ain are champions of the UAE Pro League once again, capping off a commanding 2025/26 season.

After months of consistent performances, standout attacking displays, and crucial victories against fellow title contenders, the Abu Dhabi club have secured their status as title winners.

The result on Wednesday evening confirmed what many supporters had sensed for weeks, with the team operating on a reliable level throughout the campaign.

A Season Built on Consistency

While other clubs struggled with dips in form and managerial uncertainty, Al Ain remained composed from the opening.

Their ability to collect points consistently, both home and away, ultimately became the defining factor in the title race, resulting in them being six points clear.

A strong defensive structure combined with one of the league’s most dangerous attacking units allowed the club to maintain momentum across the season.

Grinding out narrow wins and delivering high-scoring performances, Al Ain repeatedly showed why they deserved to sit at the top of the table.

Big Names Delivering in Big Moments

Several players have played a major role in the club’s title-winning run, with Kodjo Laba, currently the top goalscorer in the league, and Soufiane Rahimi being decisive in the final third.

Their goals, creativity, and experience have given Al Ain an edge in crucial fixtures throughout the season.

Alongside the attacking stars, the squad also benefited from strong depth across the pitch, with multiple players stepping up during key moments of the campaign.

The balance created in this team has helped maintain their title push throughout, with the squad all contributing and stepping up.

The Defining Fixture

Although the win against Sharjah was what sealed the title, the defining result was played back in April, when Al Ain beat title competitors Shabab AlAhli 3-2 in a thriller.

A game that had so much riding on it, with both teams sitting first and second in the table, this crucial win for Al Ain put them four points clear with four fixtures remaining.

A Statement Season Under Vladimir Ivic

Manager Vladimir Ivic deserves enormous credit for transforming Al Ain into a complete outfit this season. The Serbian coach brings discipline, organisation, and tactical control, while still allowing the team to play with freedom going forward.

Under his leadership, Al Ain not only delivered results but also developed a clear identity, which is a requirement in the modern game.

More Silverware Still Within Reach

Although the league title has now been secured, Al Ain’s season is far from over.

With a President’s Cup final still to come against Al Jazira on the 22nd of May, the club now has the opportunity to turn an already memorable campaign into a domestic double-winning year.

Follow Secret Abu Dhabi for more news, events, and updates in the capital and beyond.

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