AD CP attends Pro League Cup final, Al Ain beat Shabab Al Ahli
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, atended the Pro League Cup Finals between Shabab Al Ahli and Al Ain at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
Al Ain defeated Shabab Al Ahli 5-4 on penalty shootouts to clinch their second Pro League Cup title ater the final ended in a 2-2 draw.
Shabab Al Ahli posed their first threat ater only 19 minutes when Ahmad Nourollahi floated a cross into the area where Thomas Olsen climbed above Danilo Arboleda and powered a header, but Khalid Eisa brilliantly saved it.
Reigning champions Shabab Al Ahli opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Harib Abdalla Suhail swung in a cross from the left to Federico Cartabia on the edge of the penalty area, and the Argentinian met it with a first-time left-footed strike into the back of the net.
Eight minutes ater the break, Laba Kodjo restored parity for Al Ain when the Togolese forward towered above Shabab Al Ahli defenders Mohammed Marzooq and Abdulaziz Hussain and headed in Bandar Al Ahbabi’s cross.
Fiteen minutes from time, Erik Jorgens sent a brilliant cross to the unmarked Caio Canedo, who found it easy to head it into the net.
Cartabia equalised in the 81st, grabbing his brace when he stepped up to curl a superb free-kick into the top right corner of Eisa’s net to make it 2-2.
Soufiane Rahimi wasted a big chance to score the winner when he was put through on goal but his poor finish was saved by Majed Nasser.
Al Ain’s Rahimi missed from the spot while defenders Youssef Jaber and Abdulaziz Haikal missed their kicks for Shabab Al Ahli as Al Ain were announced winners with their second title in the competition.
Meanwhile, Baniyas will look to return to the winning ways against Emirates in their Round 22 match of the Pro League ater being held to 1-1 draw by Al Jazira in the previous game.
Baniyas coach Daniel Isaila blamed the referee mistakes for the draw against Al Jazira.
The coach began his speech by congratulating the Islamic nation on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al-fitr and wishing everyone a happy new year.
“The team had suffered from referee’s mistakes that affected the outcome of the match, as the match was easy for Baniyas who played a great game, but was unable to win.
And speaking of the Emirates team, he said: “Emirates will play a great match and will do everything what they can do as they are fighting to stay in the league, and such types of matches are difficult, especially when it is at the home ground.
He continued: “Emirates are a stubborn team that presents good levels, they have distinguished players who can be very dangerous, so we have to focus and play with our strength to get the full points.
“The position of the Emirates in the table does not justify their true strength. They have a lot more potential. I have confidence in my team’s capabilities. We are trying to take advantage of the loss or draw and turn it into experience and strength for the upcoming matches and benefit from the mistakes we made.”
Emirates are at the botom of the standings with just nine points. They have won just two matches, lost 16 and were able to salvage a draw in three.
Regarding the team’s absences, the coach made it clear that everyone is ready for this match and there are no absentees except for the continued absence of Suhail Al Noubi until the end of the season due to his joining the military service. Player Fawaz Awana also spoke, who in turn blessed all Muslims and the Emirati people, the government and leaders, on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al-fitr.
He said: “It will be a difficult match against a team that cannot be underestimated. Emirates present strong and difficult match particularly in its stadium.
“They are now competing to stay afloat in the league and will want to achieve any possible point, so we have to make a lot of effort throughout the match to win and get points full.”
Fawaz indicated that the team’s goal now is to collect all possible points until the end of the season, and thinking is focused only on the next match against Emirates.
In the other matches of the day, Al Orooba will take on Khorfakkan and Al Nasr will face Al Wasl test in the Dubai derby.