The matches of the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Professional Football League Cup (Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup) matched the prior expectations in determining the identity of the teams qualifying for the semi-finals, in addition to the results of the first-leg matches that did not witness decisive victories for Al-Wahda and Al-Ain, while both Al-Wasl and Shabab Al-Ahly. They achieved a comfortable victory.
Al-Wahda had achieved a bombshell victory over its guest, Al-Sharjah, 1-0, which was the same result with which Al-Ain beat its guest, Al-Jazira, which was the reason for their farewell in the return leg after the first lost 2-4, and the second on penalties.
On the other hand, Shabab Al-Ahly beat Al-Nasr 2-0, while Al-Wasl beat Bani Yas 3-1, a comfortable difference that tipped the balance in their favor in the second leg and specifically spared the “Dubai Knights” the element of surprise.
While Sharjah set a date with Shabab Al-Ahly in the semi-finals, this means the arrival of a former champion to the final match, as both “The King” and “Dubai Knights” previously won the title in recent years.
As for the other semi-final, which will bring together Al-Wasl and Al-Jazira, “The Emperor” is chasing its first title in the tournament after losing the final match in the last edition, which prevented it from winning the treble at the time. On the other hand, “Abu Dhabi Pride” himself also hopes to ascend the podium that he has been absent from since he achieved his first and last title in the 2009-2010 edition.
In terms of goals scored in the return matches, the scene was different from the first leg, in which the eight clubs combined scored only eight goals, as 21 goals were scored, including 10 complete goals in the match between Al-Nasr and its guest, Shabab Al-Ahly. The quarter-finals resulted in the continuation of the historical knot represented by the champion’s inability to retain the shield for the 16th consecutive season, specifically since the start of the competition in 2008-2009, after Al Wahda’s farewell to the competition at the hands of Sharjah.
The 100 Club
Sharjah is waiting for a historic record in the next confrontation against Shabab Al-Ahly in the semi-finals, as it will be its 100th match in the cup tournament, and “The King” has played 99 matches so far, achieving victory in 33, drawing in 29, while losing 37.
Biggest result
The return match between Al-Nasr and its guest Shabab Al-Ahly, which was held at Al Maktoum Stadium, recorded the largest score in the history of the competition since its inception, as the two teams scored 10 goals, five for each team, noting that the total score for the home and away matches reached 12 goals, which is another record, as The Dubai Knights had won the first leg 2-0.
Caio VII
Sharjah striker Caio Lucas rose to seventh place in the tournament’s all-time top scorers with 18 goals, thanks to his brace he scored against Al Wahda during the 4-2 second leg victory. To equal Gamal Maarouf, and surpass Saeed Al Kathiri, who has 17 goals, while 19 goals separate him from the all-time top scorer, Sebastian Tigali, who has 37 goals.
. The return matches saw 21 goals, including 10 total goals in the match between Al-Nasr and Shabab Al-Ahly.
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