50th Gulf Cup Final sees last year’s finalists meet again

Shabab Al-Ahli seek revenge when they face defending champions Al Nasr in the 50th Arabian Gulf Cup Final.

A highly encountering match last season saw former Spain striker Alvaro Negredo strike the fastest goal in the Arabian Gulf Cup history, as the Blues propelled towards a hard-fought, 2-1 victory against Shabab Al Ahli.

Both teams are experienced in this competition. The Red Knights have won the cup three times whilst Al Nasr eye their third title overall and the second in a row.

The Emirati side started their Gulf Cup campaign against strugglers Fujairah. The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg against the Wolves but made sure of the victory in the second outing. A late own goal by Hamdan Albaroud was the decisive moment for Roman Diaz’s side, as they were named the first team to seal a place in the last four of the competition.

A tricky semi-final game against Ittihad Kalba saw the holders lose the first leg 2-1, but come back stronger in the return fixture to defeat the Tigers in a penalty shootout and advanced to the final, after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Al Ahli drew their opening game against Al Dhafra in the AGL Cup. Denilson netted three minutes from time to rescue an result for the visitors. However, the Red Knights comfortably wrapped up a 3-0 victory in the second leg to reach the quarter finals.

Mahdi Ali’s side secured a double win over Khorfakkan. They emerged 2-4 victorious in the first leg before hitting the Eagles for five in the second and advance into the last four for the sixth straight season. The Red Knights’s then reached to their third straight final after they eased past Al Wasl 5-1 on aggregate.

Al Ahli have already won a trophy this season after beating UAE Pro League champions Sharjah FC in the Super Cup and will look to add to it.

Igor Jesus will look to continue his excellent form in front of goal. The striker has scored four goals and assisted three in this competition and faces an Al Nasr goalkeeper Ahmed Mohamed Shambieh who has been difficult to get past, making the most saves in the cup. (12)

Both of these sides come into this with victories in their recent league games, Shabab Al-Ahli have won their last three and recently defeated Fujairah whilst Al Nasr beat Al Ain last time out.

The last ten meetings between the sides in the Arabian Gulf Cup have ended with five wins each. The two teams will also meet again in the UAE President Cup final in May, their third clash in a cup final in successive seasons.