Al Wahda lift President’s Cup
abu dhabi — Al Wahda thrashed 10-man Al Nasr 3-0 to bag their second President’s Cup on Friday. A brace from Balazs Dzsudzsak and one from Tareq Ahmed saw the Capital club tear the visitors apart at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, graced the occasion.
Sheikh Mohammed presented the trophy to veteran skipper Ismail Matar and celebrations erupted.
Al Wahda’s first President’s Cup title had come in the 19992000 season.
The final was a high-tempo El Clasico attacking encounter and, for most players, their biggest match ever. Urging the players were some 18,000 fans, who made it a carnival atmosphere inside the stadium. It was an ‘I was there’ moment for Abu Dhabi fans.
The score at the end, however, wasn’t a true reflection of the high-intensity match it was, for most part.
Al Wahda could have gone up early through Sebastian Tagliabue but for Al Nasr keeper Ahmed Shambih’s top save. Wanderley and Abdelaziz Barrada kept Al Wahda keeper Rashed Ali busy throughout.
There were lots of challenges and just before half-time, keeper Shambih was limping after one. However, in the closing stages of half, he leapt to keep Rim Chang-woo’s long-range effort out.
There was interesting piece of action at the touchline too. Al Nasr coach Dan Petrescu’s showmanship on display against a somber Javier Aguirre, was contrasting emotions.
After the break, Ahmed Khamis missed a clear chance from Wanderley’s delivery. Masoud Sulaiman’s free-kick was also easily kept out.
The final was threatening to be decided on penalties just like last year when Al Jazira had thumped Al Ain. Lots of goalbound chances got wasted and something had to give, and a substitution did that.
Aguirre got in Khalil Ibrahim and Al Wahda were more creative going forward. Ibrahim breezed through from centre towards goal, had a one-two with Ismail Matar and passed to Tagliabue.
Striker Tagliabue and defender Masoud Sulaiman were involved in tussle and both went down. Sulaiman got a hand to the ball and had a contact with Tagliabue.
The referee awarded the spot kick and a second yellow for Sulaiman meant Al Nasr were down to 10. Dzsudzsak’s kick hit the post but the Hungarian netted in the deflection. The — Photo by Ryan Lim goal deflated Al Nasr as minutes later Al Wahda scored again. Ibrahim was again the delivery man and Tareq Ahmed converted in the 79th minute. Al Nasr resistance was completely broken and Dzsudzsak made it 3-0 with a long-ranger. The win completed a successful week for the club with U-21 team picking the League title.
The result also meant the coveted trophy stays in Abu Dhabi. Interestingly, last year’s President’s Cup champion Al Jazira are Arabian Gulf League champions this season. Easily, a season defining title and match for Aguirre and team.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com