Al Ahli beat Al Jazira to win Challenge Cup

Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli claimed the Qatar UAE Challenge Cup title after edging Al Jazira 4 3 in a penalty shootout in a thrilling final at Mohammed Bin Z...

Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli claimed the Qatar-UAE Challenge Cup title after edging Al Jazira 4-3 in a penalty shootout in a thrilling final at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Julian Draxler scored the equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time to take the match into penalties, after Al Ahli rallied from a 48th-minute goal by Vinicius Mello for the home side. The match was the fourth and final fixture of the Qatar-UAE Super Cup series.

Younes Ali’s Al Ahli were fortunate during the shootout as two Al Jazira players missed the target – Richard Akonnor firing wide and Khalifa Al Hammadi hitting the bar – while Al Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Sherif blocked Mello’s penalty. Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khasif also produced superb saves from Erik Exposito and Driss Fettouhi, but Draxler and Michel Vlap converted their spot-kicks, with Suhaib Gannan scoring the winning penalty.

“Congratulations to us and hard luck to Al Jazira. We thank them for their excellent hospitality; everything we hoped for was provided. We wish them success in their upcoming matches,” said Al Ahli coach Ali.

“I also thank the players for a great performance. They showed determination even before the tournament began. Despite some absences for various reasons, their resolve only grew stronger in the locker room. Their focus throughout the week was fully on this competition.