Pro League Committee conducts Arabian Gulf League and Cup draw
Following the conclusion of the 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League Awards ceremony, Abu Dhabi's Jumeirah Etihad Towers witnessed the 2017/18 Arabian Gulf League and Cup draw, with the participation of former UAE international players Fahd Khamis and Saeed Al Kas.
The ceremony started with the honoring of various media organisations, including local, regional and international newspapers, TV Channels and websites.
The Arabian Gulf Cup draw followed in four stages. Teams were divided into two groups, one headed by league champions Al Jazira and the other headed by cup champions Al Ahli. The second stage saw the two newly promoted sides Ajman Club and Dubai Club allocated bottom seed and drawn into groups A and B respectively, before the remaining teams were drawn.
The draw result saw Al Jazira, Al Wasl, Al Dhafra, Al Wahda, Emirates, Sharjah and Ajman drawn into group A, while Al Ahli, Al Ain, Al Shabab, Al Nasr, Hatta, Dibba and Dubai are drawn in group B.
The draw revealed two big clashed in round 1 as Al Wasl play Al Jazira while Al Ahli face Al Ain.
The Arabian Gulf League draw followed suit. It was conducted in two stages, the first stage includes seeding the teams that finished first to seventh while those that ranked eighth to 14 are put in a second pot as unseeded. This mechanism was organised by the PLC to ensure an even distribution of strong fixtures throughout the season.
