Shabab, who entered the final league engagement with an unbeaten record, will inscribe their name on the trophy they last won during the 2005/2006 season when they beat Al-Hilal to the post.

Nassir Al-Shamrani once again proved why he’s the best striker in Saudi Arabia when he scored the Shabab’s key goal in the 18th  minute following a defensive lapse. He latched on to a through pass and neatly placed the ball past an onrushing rival goalkeeper, which had the Shabab fans going wild in the stadium.

Shamrani and Victor are the top goal scorers in the league with 21 goals each.

Earlier, both teams started on a cautious note taking no chances. Ahli had an edge in midfield. A Victor penalty appeal was turned down by the referee in the first quarter when he was grounded by the rival defense. Victor again had a golden opportunity to put his side on equal terms a couple of minutes before the breather but he failed to connect properly and the Shabab defense scrambled the ball to safety after it came off the goalkeeper.

It was an evenly-balanced first half with both teams giving nothing away.

Ahli turned on the pressure in the second session and attacked right from the start. They parked themselves into the rival half and put the Shabab defense under constant pressure. 

Ahli’s effort finally bore fruit in the last quarter when Shabab goalkeeper failed to collect a header cleanly and the loose ball went to Taiseer, who made no mistake from close.

Ahli tried hard for the match winner, which would have given them the title. However, Shabab were content in holding the ball and playing out time, which eventually gave them the title to the delight of their supporters.

In the other matches of the day, at the King Fahd International Stadium Al-Hilal drew with Al-Ittifaq 3-3 to take third place. Shabab finished on top with 64 points followed by Ahli with 62, Hilal 60 and Al-Ittifaq 44.