• Al Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu leans over to look at performance analyst Chris Loxton's laptop during an Arabian Gulf League game against Dubai club in January, which Al Ahli won 4-2. Pawan Singh / The National
    Al Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu leans over to look at performance analyst Chris Loxton's laptop during an Arabian Gulf League game against Dubai club in January, which Al Ahli won 4-2. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Chris Loxton, head of performance analysis at Al Ahli, on the left, and Michael Lawson, a sports scientist with the club on the right, at work in the Al Ahli offices at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Chris Loxton, head of performance analysis at Al Ahli, on the left, and Michael Lawson, a sports scientist with the club on the right, at work in the Al Ahli offices at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A computer screen shows the Sportscode program that allows Al Ahli to review live notational analysis during a match. Pawan Singh / The National
    A computer screen shows the Sportscode program that allows Al Ahli to review live notational analysis during a match. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A computer screen shows the Wyscout program that offers a comprehensive library and video archive on footballers around the world. Pawan Singh / The National
    A computer screen shows the Wyscout program that offers a comprehensive library and video archive on footballers around the world. Pawan Singh / The National
  • One of Al Ahli's post-match analytical sheets, breaking down players' actions during the game. Pawan Singh / The National
    One of Al Ahli's post-match analytical sheets, breaking down players' actions during the game. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A computer screen showing the Prozone data program that helps Al Ahli's performance analysts review information related to how much players were running, shooting, crossing and more following a match. Pawan Singh / The National
    A computer screen showing the Prozone data program that helps Al Ahli's performance analysts review information related to how much players were running, shooting, crossing and more following a match. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A computer screen showing the Sportscode program, which Al Ahli uses for in-game analysis that can be fed to coaches and incorporated into match tactics in real time. Pawan Singh / The National
    A computer screen showing the Sportscode program, which Al Ahli uses for in-game analysis that can be fed to coaches and incorporated into match tactics in real time. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A vest players wear to be monitored by the Statsports Viper GPS System that records information like heart rate, weight distribution in the legs and speed and distance ran. Pawan Singh / The National
    A vest players wear to be monitored by the Statsports Viper GPS System that records information like heart rate, weight distribution in the legs and speed and distance ran. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The GPS system offers important medical insights. In knowing the weight distribution on each leg as a player runs, for instance, Al Ahli staff can recognise a slight injury before it aggravates into something worse. Pawan Singh / The National
    The GPS system offers important medical insights. In knowing the weight distribution on each leg as a player runs, for instance, Al Ahli staff can recognise a slight injury before it aggravates into something worse. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Al Ahli sport scientist Michael Lawson reviews training session information provided by the GPS system. Pawan Singh / The National
    Al Ahli sport scientist Michael Lawson reviews training session information provided by the GPS system. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Chris Loxston at his Rashid Stadium desk, where he performs data analysis for Al Ahli. Pawan Singh / The National
    Chris Loxston at his Rashid Stadium desk, where he performs data analysis for Al Ahli. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Prozone program is fed information by four CCTV cameras installed in the Rashid Stadium to track every aspect of a player's movement and action. Coach Cosmin Olaroiu likes to share the data with players so they can understand their own tendencies. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Prozone program is fed information by four CCTV cameras installed in the Rashid Stadium to track every aspect of a player's movement and action. Coach Cosmin Olaroiu likes to share the data with players so they can understand their own tendencies. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Chris Loxston at his Rashid Stadium workstation. Pawan Singh / The National
    Chris Loxston at his Rashid Stadium workstation. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Michael Lawson, a sport scientist in Al Ahli's performance analysis department, in the club offices at the Rashid Stadium. Pawan Singh / The National
    Michael Lawson, a sport scientist in Al Ahli's performance analysis department, in the club offices at the Rashid Stadium. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Al Ahli have been urged to implement and utilise these tools by chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah, who sees them as a valuable piece in the machinery that has led Ahli to the top of the Arabian Gulf League this year. Pawan Singh / The National
    Al Ahli have been urged to implement and utilise these tools by chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah, who sees them as a valuable piece in the machinery that has led Ahli to the top of the Arabian Gulf League this year. Pawan Singh / The National
  • These tools represent no small investment by the club - Prozone runs at a cost of £90,000 (Dh550,000) a year, and Wyscout runs at roughly £6,700 a year. Pawan Singh / The National
    These tools represent no small investment by the club - Prozone runs at a cost of £90,000 (Dh550,000) a year, and Wyscout runs at roughly £6,700 a year. Pawan Singh / The National

Football

In pictures: Al Ahli’s data-driven revolution

Mark Asquith

March 20, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

A look at the people and tools supporting performance analysis at Al Ahli.

Arabian Gulf League