Al Wasl pip Al Wahda in penalties on way to final
abu dhabi — Al Wasl beat defending champions Al Wahda in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure the UAE President’s Cup final spot at the Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday night.
The semis encounter, on expected lines, was a tight one. It finished 2-2 after normal time and 3-3 at the end of 30 extra minutes. The ‘Cheetahs’ clinched the penalty shootout 5-4 after keeper Yousef Al Zaabi saved a spot kick by Al Wahda’s goal-scoring machine Sebastian Tagliabue.
It was an explosive match which saw plenty of battles between hungry strikers and defiant keepers. In the first half, Al Wahda played with aggression and kept knocking on Al Wasl’s door through Balazs Dzsudzsak, Sebastian Tagliabue and Mourad Batna. Al Wasl, too, had an odd shy at goal through Fabio de Lima and Caio Canedo.
There were chances created at either ends mostly resulting from sloppy work by defenders. However, keepers were up to the task on all occasions. Al Wasl’s Al Zaabi and Al Wahda’s Mohammed Al Shamsi made some excellent saves to keep it goalless in the first 45 minutes.
The second half was a test of character for teams as the cat and mouse game continued. Attacks resumed and in the 47th minute, Batna slammed one into the net but it was ruled off-side.
However in the 56th minute, Tagliabue broke the deadlock. It was a superbly curled cross by Batna and Tagliabue struck a knockout header to make it 1-0.
Al Wasl responded immediately and equalised in 64 minutes. Lima was able to size up Al Wahda goal and deposit the ball into the far left post past a diving Al Shamsi. Keeping the momentum, Al Wasl fired one more as Caio converted from Salem Al Azizi’s cross.
The goal saw Al Wahda play with more resolve and find an equaliser. Tagliabue scored on second attempt following Dzsudzsak thunderous volley on goal. It was 2-2 in regulation time.
In extra time, Batna made it 3-2 game with his header but Al Azizi made it 3-3 with his 115-minute sensational effort.
And when it was time for penalties, Al Wahda’s mainstay Tagliabue failed to score. It was a sweet revenge for Al Wasl’s loss to Al Wahda in Arabian Gulf Cup final. Al Wasl will now meet Al Ain in the final of the President’s Cup.