They confirmed that they were not candidates but they achieved the title
Shabab Al Ahli Players: Pressure makes champions
Shabab Al Ahli players celebrate the league title with Jardim in their own way. From the source
image
Shabab Al Ahli players stressed that the pressure surrounded the team since the draw in the past two rounds of the league championship, which reduced the difference with the competitors to three points, and that they played the Bani Yas match the day before yesterday under great pressure, but they stressed that pressure is what makes champions, and that their team achieved the title despite being among the candidates at the beginning of the season.
They said in press statements after the victory over Bani Yas and the decision of the title, that the elements of experience in the team had an important role in coming out with the match points that held the breath after the hosts advanced with the first goal, and that the team showed the character of the champion and succeeded in overturning its delay to win 2-1, and decide the title before a round of the end of the season.
For his part, Shabab Al Ahli defender, Abdulaziz Heikal, admitted that they were feeling pressure during the Bani Yas match because of their desire to resolve the match and avoid any surprise that may occur from their rival, and postpone the decision of the title to the last round.
Heikal said: "The pressure of the game was clear on us because we wanted to settle the game early. I would like to thank the fans who have been behind the team from the beginning of the journey until the last round."
Shabab Al Ahli player Harib Abdullah said the team has been under pressure lately, but for a team the size of Shabab Al Ahli, pressure is what makes champions. "We knew we had to deal with all the pressure. In the Bani Yas match we were behind with the result but we showed the character of the champion, and it is important that we won the league title in this match."
Shabab Al Ahli striker Yahya Al Ghassani said he could not describe the joy he is currently feeling after winning the ADNOC Professional Football League title before a round of the competition.
"I do not hide that I was feeling pressure, but I was saying the opposite that there is no pressure, so that we are not affected in the matches, and for me I cannot describe my joy with this title," said Al-Ghassani.
On the offensive role and scoring goals, including the goal to decide the title against Bani Yas, Al-Ghassani said: «With the help of my fellow players, I was able to score goals. It's important for us to be on the podium every season."
For his part, Shabab Al Ahli goalkeeper Majid Nasser said: "The league title in the current season is a message to some analysts who have been talking about the need to provide the opportunity for young players instead of relying on experienced people."
Nasser said in a press statement: «This tournament is the most expensive for me, because some athletes who sit in the studios evaluate the players as they want, but I say that giving is important and not age. They have to understand that experienced people are important players, and in a game like the one we had against Baniyas it was definitely important to rely on players with experience."
Jardim: We didn't have the advantage to compete at the start of the season
Shabab Al Ahli coach Leonardo Jardim admitted that his team was not favourites at the beginning of the season to win the title compared to other teams such as Al Ain, Sharjah and Al Jazira.
The coach said in a press statement after the title was decided: «At the beginning of the season we did not have the advantage to compete for a title, unlike other teams, we had to work hard».
He added: "I congratulate the players for this effort they made in the tournament. We are definitely happy with this title, and in the end
The league champion is one team and it was us."