Al Ahli clinched a thrilling penalty shootout 4-3 against Al Jazira after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to claim the Challenge Cup in the third edition of Qatar-UAE Super Cup at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi Sunday.
Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO of the Qatar Stars League Foundation, and Abdullah Nasser al-Junaibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League, presented the trophy to the winners.
It was Suhaib Gannan who got the winning strike in a nail-biting shootout where Al Ahli’s kicks of Driss Fettouhi and Eric Exposito were stopped by Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khasif while Oumar Sekou, Julian Draxler, Michel Vlap were on target – along with Gannan.
Al Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Badreldin stopped the kick of Al Jazira’s Vinicius Mello while Richard Akonnor and Khalifa al-Hammadi shot wide of the target. Abdallah Ramadan, Ibrahim Adel, Wilyan Rocha were the ones to score for the hosts but in vain.
Earlier, following a goalless opening half, Brazilian Vinicius Mello put Al Jazira ahead in the 48th minute after intercepting a high ball from Bruno Oliviera inside the box.
Just when it seemed that the Cup was heading the hosts’ way, Al Ahli turned the tables fetching the equaliser in stoppage time (90+3 minute) with Draxler making a header into the right corner from a measured lob of Dutchman Michel Vlap from outside the striking zone.
That set the tone for a pulsating shootout which moved into sudden death situation but Gannan held his composure to score as his teammates rushed in to celebrate a deserving victory.
