A landmark season of the UAE top flight gets rolling this weekend, with a reputation to keep, along its fledging journey.

It is 10 years since the League turned professional and everyone associated with football in the country truly deserve a pat on the back for making it Asia's best last season. The Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Club Competitions Ranking named the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) as Asia's top League ahead of Korea's K-League, Saudi Pro League, Japanese J-League and the Qatar Stars League.

The accolade hasn't come easy. The League took the giant leap in 2008, but one must not forget the early years when UAE football took its first baby steps back in the day in the 1973-74 season. Those amateur years too have had their part to play in what the League has gone on to become today.

So, for all intents and purposes, the AGL will look to ensure its standing at the very top and stay right there for a second season running.

It has been 124 days since a ball was kicked in anger but that wait is about to end on Friday evening. First up, Emirates and Al Dhafra will get proceedings off to a start with the first match of the season at faraway Ras Al Khaimah.

Source: Khaleej Times