As the dust settles on another Arabian Gulf League season, John McAuley picks his best and worst performers of the campaign.
TOPS
Mirko Vucinic (Al Jazira)
An excellent debut season may not have concluded with the league title, but the Montenegrin was the runaway winner of the Golden Boot. Vucinic scored 25 goals in 23 matches, including all four in Jazira’s 4-3 victory against Al Ain, one of only two defeats inflicted on the champions. The only downside to his season was his fade in the final months of the campaign.
Wanderley Santos (Sharjah)
Another new addition to the league, the Brazilian had played under coach Paulo Bonamigo before, so did not need much time to settle. Wanderley chipped in with 17 goals, almost half of Sharjah’s total. It was a vital contribution, given the club concluded the campaign one place above the relegation zone.
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Ali Mabkhout (Al Jazira)
What a season for the UAE striker. With 16 goals, he broke the professional-era record for goals by an Emirati in a single campaign, although his movement off the ball also allowed strike partner Vucinic the space to score. Did not let national-team duty distract him. In fact, he was the leading scorer at both the Gulf Cup and the Asian Cup, too.
FLOPS
Carlos Munoz (Al Ahli)
Perhaps a little unfair on the Chilean, since he began the season well following a transfer deadline move to the UAE champions. However, Ahli chose not to re-register Munoz for the second half of the campaign. Reportedly a big-money signing, he did not live up to the price tag, although the blame perhaps lies at his club’s door.
Ivan Trickovski (Al Nasr)
Having previously played under coach Ivan Jovanovic, the Macedonian was signed last summer with the view to shooting Nasr into the top four. Trickovski never settled, though, often featuring as a substitute during the first half of the season. With only three goals in 12 matches, he did not re-emerge after the winter break.
Danilo Bueno (Kalba)
A midfielder who had displayed a knack for scoring goals throughout his career, much was expected of the Brazilian. However, Bueno offered little in terms of creativity or goals for Kalba, finding the net three times in 23 appearances. His club had a miserable season, often relying on him to find the spark. He rarely delivered.
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