Al Jazira are only 90 minutes away from securing their third Arabian Gulf League title in the professional era. The Pride of Abu Dhabi, who last won the title in the 2016-17 season, will lift the trophy if they win against Khorfakkan in the final matchweek on Tuesday, regardless of second-placed Bani Yas's result against Al Wahda.
A disappointing start to season
Al Jazira had a disappointing start to the 2020-21 season, as they were held to draws in the first two matches, then won the second two games before losing 1-0 to Sharjah in matchweek 5 to end up collecting only 8 out of 15 possible points.
They turned things around starting matchweek 6 when they moved to fourth place after defeating Shabab Al Ahli 5-3, which marked the start of a six-game winning streak. Despite drawing with Al Ain and losing to Khorfakkan in the following two matches, Al Jazira ended the first half of the season in second place with 27 points, five adrift of then leaders Sharjah.
Perfect run in tight title race
Al Jazira kicked off the second half of the season in a perfect manner by earning three big wins over Al Nasr, Al Dhafra, and Ittihad Kalba. Their determination and persistence paid off when they defeated Sharjah in matchweek 18 to replace them at the top of the standings for the first time in the season.
After stumbling against Al Wahda in the Abu Dhabi derby in matchweek, they were leapfrogged by Bani Yas. The regress was short-lived as they regained the top spot in matchweek 23, capitalizing on Bani Yas's draw with Sharjah.
Read: Bani Yas seek first ever Arabian Gulf League title
Despite dropping two crucial points after their 3-3 draw with Ajman in matchweek 24, Al Jazira remained at the top, thanks to Shabab Al Ahli's goalless draw with Bani Yas. They then defeated Al Ain in the penultimate matchweek to maintain the one-point gap with rivals Bani Yas.
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