Updated: May 11, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: The National’s top Arabian Gulf League players of 2013/14
DEFENDER - ABDUL AZIZ HAIKAL (Al Ahli): One of the more prominent members of national team manager Mahdi Ali’s “golden generation”, Haikal had an Asian Under 19 Championship and a Gulf Cup medal among his collection. This season, he has added a few more with Al Ahli. A bustling, energetic left-back, he has been an integral member of the all-conquering Ahli team. Courtesy Al ittihad
MIDFIELD - OMAR ABDULRAHMAN (Al Ain): This season, we have seen some excellent playmakers in action, such as Al Jazira’s Abdelaziz Barrada, Ajman’s Simon Feindouno, Luis Jiminez for Al Ahli, Al Wahda’s Damian Diaz and Kim Jung-woo at Sharjah. But with Abdulrahman available, there is really no need to look at the foreign contingent. Injuries did restrict his appearance in the AGL to 17 matches, but his performance against Al Jazira in the Asian Champions League last week showed why some of Europe’s top clubs are keeping tabs on him. Marwan Naamani / AFP
GOALKEEPER - ALI KASHIEF (Al Jazira): The UAE No 1 probably did not have as good a season as he would have liked with Jazira appearing seventh on the goals-conceded list, but he was still the best stopper in the league. Kashief managed seven cleansheets and in seven other matches, he was beaten only once. Sharjah’s Mohammed Yousuf and Al Ahli’s Saif Yousuf had an outstanding season as well, but Kashief’s experience sees him get the nod. Mona Al-Marzooqi/ The National
DEFENCE - AHMED IBRAHIM (Ajman): He is 10 years younger than Basheer Saeed, but probably there is no man better than Ibrahim to partner him in central defence. The tough-tackling Iraqi has made a huge impression since his arrival in January, starting his stint with a 1-0 win over Al Jazira – Ajman’s first in 12 league matches. When he arrived, Ajman were at the bottom of the league table with nine points from 16 matches, having conceded 32 goals; in the nine games he has played since, they have conceded 12 and won five of those matches. Courtesy Arshad Khan / PLC
DEFENCE - ABDULAZIZ SANQOUR (Al Ahli): If Haikal has been excelling through the years on the left side of Mahdi Ali’s team, Sanqour has been doing the same on the right side of the pitch. They have been the inseparable twins, almost identical in play and indefatigable in spirit. They have been playing together for Ahli as well and given their synergy, they would be the perfect pair on the flanks.. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
STRIKER - SEBASTIAN TAGLIABUE (Al Wahda): With 26 goals in 24 matches, the 29-year-old Argentine has helped Wahda climb from mid-table mediocrity into second place. Going into their final game of the season, Wahda are on a nine-match unbeaten streak, which includes seven wins, and Tagliabue has contributed 15 goals during that period. Given his proficiency in front of the goal, the Wahda man nails his spot in the All-Star XI with ease. Al Ittihad
DEFENCE - BASHEER SAEED (Al Ahli): Earlier this year, as the 32-year-old Saeed took his seat alongside his coach for an Asian Champions League pre-match news conference, Cosmin Olaroiu joked: “For once, I am not the oldest man on the table”. The Ahli central defender smiled wryly, not too pleased to be reminded about his age because, just like Serena Williams keeps saying, age just seems to be a number for him. He is pure gold and should be one of the first names on any AGL All-Star XI. Karim Sahib / AFP
MIDFIELD - HUGO VIANA (Al Ahli): The late Bruno Metsu once talked about the importance of having a leader on the pitch and Ahli have been fortunate to have such a man on their books. A veteran of a European Championship and two World Cup campaigns with Portugal, the former Valencia, Sporting and Braga man has been at the heart of Ahli’s unprecedented success this season, organising the midfield and defence, and often advising the players around him. The experience of Viana, 31, has been invaluable. Karim Jaafar / AFP
STRIKER - ALI MABKHOUT (Al Jazira): There was a time when the league was dominated by foreign strikers and the national team were often forced to use midfield players in attack, but now the UAE have the lethal pair of Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil. The Jazira sharpshooter is as good as any foreign striker plying his trade in the country, with speed being his greatest asset. No defence is quick enough for him and he has scored some breath-taking goals this season.. Ravindranath K / The National
MIDFIELD - MAJED HASSAN (Al Ahli): When Hassan made his first appearance for the Ahli senior team four years back, he was only 17, but even in his brief appearances then, he caught the eye for his combativeness. Fearless, he seemed not too worried about upsetting some of the senior pros with his bone-crushing tackles. He has mellowed some through the years, but only a bit. His Gennaro Gattuso-like aggression has seen him booked six times this season, but his commitment is a priceless asset. Sarah Dea / The National