Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Abu Dhabi: Al Ahli were crowned UAE President’s Cup champions on Tuesday with a 4-3 defeat of Dubai rivals Al Shabab Al Arabi in a thrilling final at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium that was ultimately settled by a late Edgar own goal.
The victory saw Al Ahli match the record of eight President’s Cup titles with Sharjah and make them eligible for a place in the 2014 AFC Champions League as the UAE’s knockout cup winners.
Edgar (Edgar Bruno da Silva) had been the catalyst for Al Shabab’s impressive fightback with the Brazilian drawing the 2013 AFC Champions League participants level with goals in the 32nd and 49th minutes after Adnan Hussain and UAE International Player of the Year Grafite (Edinaldo Batista Libânio) had put Al Ahli 2-0 up with just quarter-of an-hour played.
In the 57th minute Al Ahli regained their lead through a Luiz Jimenez free-kick – two minutes after Grafite had seen his penalty saved - but after a successfully converted spotkick from Ciel (Jociel Ferreira da Silva) drew Al Shabab level with ten minutes left to play.
But there was still time for some late drama as Ismail Al Hamad’s fierce drive took a wicked deflection off of Edgar to give Al Ahli, who played the final few minutes of the match with ten men after Grafite picked up his second yellow of the match, the 4-3 win.