Al Wahda of the UAE defeated Qatar’s Al Duhail 1-0 in Abu Dhabi yesterday to claim the Challenge Shield title, part of the Qatar-UAE Super Cup. A 29th-minute penalty converted by Syrian forward Omar Khribin proved to be the decisive goal in a tightly contested match. The result marks a significant victory for Al Wahda and highlights the growing competition between football clubs in the region.
The match, held at Al Nahyan Stadium, was marred by an early red card for Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria in the 10th minute after a foul on Khribin. This gave Al Wahda a numerical advantage they would ultimately leverage to secure the win. The game saw several near misses and a disallowed goal late in the second half, adding to the drama.
Al Duhail Falls to Al Wahda in Challenge Shield Final
Al Wahda capitalized on the early sending-off, earning a penalty after a challenge in the box. Khribin stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the replacement Al Duhail goalkeeper, giving his team a crucial lead. Despite being a man down, Al Duhail pressed forward, creating several opportunities to equalize.
However, Al Wahda’s defense remained resolute, consistently thwarting Al Duhail’s attacks. The first half saw a strong effort from Al Duhail’s Adel Boulbina, whose powerful shot was saved by the Al Wahda keeper. The teams entered halftime with Al Wahda holding a 1-0 advantage.
Second Half Struggles and VAR Controversy
The second half saw Al Duhail continue to push for an equalizer, but their efforts were repeatedly denied. A key opportunity fell to French player Benjamin Bourigeaud in the 68th minute, but he failed to convert a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper. Al Wahda also had chances to extend their lead, with Khribin again testing the Al Duhail defense.
Late in the game, a moment of controversy arose when a goal scored by Boulbina for Al Duhail was disallowed after a VAR review. The referee determined a foul had occurred on an Al Wahda player in the build-up to the goal, maintaining Al Wahda’s lead. This decision sparked debate amongst observers.
Adding to the late-game drama, Al Wahda’s Abdullah Al Minhali received a red card in the 99th minute for a second bookable offense. Despite being reduced to ten men themselves, Al Wahda held on for the victory, showcasing their defensive strength and tactical discipline. The Qatar-UAE Super Cup continues to be a valuable platform for regional competition.
The Challenge Shield is a significant trophy for both clubs, representing a successful start to the new season. Al Duhail, a consistent contender in the AFC Champions League, will undoubtedly analyze this match to identify areas for improvement. This defeat may prompt adjustments to their strategy and squad selection in upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, both Al Duhail and Al Wahda will return to domestic league action. The timing of their respective league campaigns will be crucial as they aim to build momentum following this Super Cup encounter. Further observation will be needed to assess the long-term impact of this result on both teams’ performances and their pursuit of further silverware this season.
The next steps for both teams involve preparing for their upcoming league matches, with Al Duhail aiming to rebound from this loss and Al Wahda looking to capitalize on their victory. The performance of key players like Omar Khribin and Adel Boulbina will be closely watched in the coming weeks.