The 2008–09 UAE League season was the 34th edition of top level football in the United Arab Emirates and started on 19 September 2008 until 24 May 2009.

Al-Ahli clinched the championship on the last day of the season, one of the most exciting campaigns for a number of years and also qualified for the 2009 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup as the host representative.

Al-Shabbab ACD were defending champions from the 2007–08 campaign.

Emirates Club and Hatta were relegated from the previous season. Ajman Club and Al Khaleej Club were promoted from the second level.

The winners of the league qualified for the 2009 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup as the host representative.

Clubs

Locations of teams in the 2016–17 UAE Pro League
Club Coach Nationality City Stadium 2007–2008 season Notes
Al-Shabbab ACD Toninho Cerezo Brazil Dubai Al Maktoum Stadium UAE League Champions AFC Champions League 2009 Qualifier
Al-Jazira Club Abel Braga Brazil Abu Dhabi Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium 2nd in UAE League AFC Champions League 2009 Qualifier
Al-Ahli Ivan Hašek Czech Republic Dubai Rashed Stadium 3rd in UAE League AFC Champions League 2009 Qualifier
Al-Sharjah Youssef Al Zawawi Tunisia Sharjah Sharjah Stadium 4th in UAE League AFC Champions League 2009 Qualifier
Al-Shaab Luka Peruzović Croatia Sharjah Khalid Bin Mohammed Stadium 5th in UAE League 2008–09 Arab Champions League Qualifier - Later Withdrew
Al-Ain Winfried Schäfer Germany Al Ain Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium 6th in UAE League
Al-Wasl Miroslav Beránek Czech Republic Dubai Zabeel Stadium 7th in UAE League
Al-Wahda Ahmad Abdulhaleem Egypt Abu Dhabi Al-Nahyan Stadium 8th in UAE League
Al-Nasr Luka Bonačić Croatia Dubai Al-Maktoum Stadium 9th in UAE League
Al Dhafra Mohammad Kwid Syria Dhafra Al Dhafra Stadium 10th in UAE League
Ajman Club Abdul Qader Iraq Ajman Ajman Stadium Promoted
Al Khaleej Club Sammir Juwaili Tunisia Khor Fakkan Al Baladi Stadium Promoted

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Replaced by
Al-Wasl Czech Republic Miroslav Beranek Sacked[1] Brazil Hélio dos Anjos
Al-Wahda Egypt Ahmad Abdulhaleem Sacked[2] Austria Josef Hickersberger
Al Dhafra Syria Mohammad Kwid Resigned[3] United Arab Emirates Eid Baroud
Al-Sharjah Tunisia Youssef Al Zawawi Resigned after 11 games[4] Portugal Toni Oliveira
Al-Wasl Brazil Hélio dos Anjos Sacked Czech Republic Jaroslav Horák
Ajman Club Iraq Abdul Qadir Abdul Wahab Sacked [5]
Al-Sharjah Portugal Toni Oliveira Sacked after 'poor results' [6] Iraq Abdul Qadir Abdul Wahab
Al-Ahli Czech Republic Ivan Hašek Quit after winning championship [7][8] Romania Ioan Andone

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Al-Ahli (C) 22 17 4 1 54 25 +29 55 2009 Club World Cup and 2010 AFC Champions League Group Stage
2 Al Jazira 22 17 3 2 57 17 +40 54 2010 AFC Champions League Group Stage
3 Al Ain 22 12 7 3 40 20 +20 43
4 Al-Wahda 22 10 4 8 40 39 +1 34 2010 AFC Champions League Qualifying play-off[lower-alpha 1]
5 Al Shabab 22 8 4 10 33 37 4 28 2009–10 Gulf Club Champions Cup
6 Al Nasr 22 6 8 8 37 40 3 26
7 Al Wasl 22 7 5 10 38 45 7 26 2009–10 Gulf Club Champions Cup
8 Al-Dhafra 22 5 9 8 32 32 0 24
9 Ajman 22 7 3 12 21 39 18 24
10 Al Sharjah 22 6 4 12 31 45 14 22
11 Al-Shaab (R) 22 5 3 14 23 37 14 18 Relegation to 2009–10 UAE League Division 1
12 Al Khaleej Club (R) 22 4 2 16 21 51 30 14
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Since Al-Ain also won the 2008–09 UAE President's Cup, the fourth-placed team of the league also qualified for the 2010 AFC Champions League.
 UAE League 2008–09 winners 
Al-Ahli
5th title

Top goalscorers

Source: goalzz.com

25 goals
13 goals
12 goals
11 goals
9 goals

References

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