TMDC - If there is one individual player who single-handedly made a great difference in the fortunes of a football club, which is supposedly considered a team sport,  it is no one but our own Mohammad Ali Karimi and the club is Al Ahli club of Dubai.

Al Ahli , established in 1970 , has quickly became the icon of UAE clubs in their early years specially after recruiting the services of two of the most talented players of Iran’s golden era in the mid to late seventies. The two Hassan’s , Rowshan and Nazari joined the club from Taj after the world cup in 1978. Their blend and endeavor in the team resulted in winning championships and accolades.

Since those years , though , Al Ahli rarely managed to repeat the feats of the Hassan’s years and the odd cup success here and there was the only achievement they had to show for in a quarter of a century. This fell short of the aspiration of the rich and popular club of Dubai supported by the might and wealth of Al Maktoum Family.

Then comes this little wizard from Tehran. Shy, reserved and withdrawn to a degree that could have very easily mistaken to be arrogance. That attitude was also evident in the fields during competitions. Karimi’s start with Al Ahli was on a quiet note after his transfer from Perspolis, but very quickly he became the darling of the Red Army of Al Ahli unmistakably for his incredible dribbling skills and the odd goals he scored. But to make his mark as a great player, it took Karimi a few years under the guidance and training of some top professional European coaches. Frequently criticized for his over zealous dribbling, lack of commitment and stamina and most of all his under-achievement, Karimi was on a mission to mend his ways and his football. He was on a challenge and defiance exercise to tap his skills for the benefit of the team, rather than being content with the crowd’s applause for his dribbles.

Karimi has done it this season. A huge transformation and a big mentality change and with it a maturity not known of him in his career, made Ali Karimi the best footballer of the season and paved his way to be considered one of the greatest footballers that have ever grazed the green field of UAE. No longer would Karimi dribble his way round the field in senseless fashion. No longer Karimi acts as a pedestrian and quickly diffuses his enthusiasm. Karimi has turned into a polished, intelligent and multi-skilled player. He has as many assists as goals, he scores with feet and head. He shoots and scores from free-kicks. He retreats back to defend whenever the team tactics requires his efforts at the back. In one word, he is becoming a complete player without loosing his greatest skill, those incredible crowd-pleasing skills that forces the fan to shout his name time and time again.

Ali Karimi scored 27 goals for Al Ahli this season in League and cup competitions, some of which were absolutely remarkable by any standard. He scored the 2 goals that won al Ahli the Cup. He is the top scorer in UAE league with 14 goals followed by his compatriot Farhad Majidi who was leading the list until a week before the last round. His goals and performances in this season have brought a widespread praise in the country, friends and foes, amateurs and professional, press and media alike.

Indeed , Ali Karimi will look back at this season as one of his greatest and a certain bet to emboss his name as one of the greatest footballer in the UAE’s history.

Apart from Al Ahli club, there is one person who has a broad smile on his face due to this transformation.  It is Brank Ivankovic who sincerely hopes that Mr. Karimi repeats some or all of his magic wearing the tri-color of Team Melli.

And with him, the hope of 70 million passionate Iranians….