Magical skills shown by Omar Abdulrahman handed Al Ain a seventh UAE President's Cup at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, presented the coveted trophy to Al Ain skipper Omar Abdulrahman.
Goals in either halves from Ismail Ahmed and Marcus Berg, both assisted by Omar, were enough for the newly crowned Arabian Gulf League champions to pin Al Wasl 2-1 and clinch the cherished trophy.
It is the 'Year of Zayed' and the match had a majestic start with a grand rendition of patriotic songs by Hamad Al Ameri in front of a massive crowd.
And from the start Al Ain operated with a full-scale approach. The 'Boss' wanted early results and got it as soon as the third minute.
For sure, it was a goal scripted in the boardroom of the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. While Al Ain strikers Marcus Berg and Caio Fernandes drew attention of Al Wasl defenders, playmaker Omar with his perfectly executed corner found an unmarked Ismail Ahmed stationed at the far right post. And the Emirati defender darted his shot into the vacant right side of the goal. Al Wasl stopper, Yousef Al Zaabi, stood helplessly blinded by an army of six Al Wasl shirts in front of him.
It was a shocker for Al Wasl and the Dubai club pushed with all their might. The urgency shown by Al Wasl raised the tempo of the encounter.
The 'Cheetahs' came close with a one-two between Anthony Caceres and Caio Canedo but Al Ain keeper Khalid Eisa was up to the task.
In 25 minutes, Al Wasl were unfortunate not to level as Fabio Lima's near-perfect free-kick crashed into the top of the bar.
It was an exciting contest with lots of chances being created at either end. At the close of the first-half, Omar-Berg combine tried to pull one more but the Swede lacked direction with his finish.
However, the duo made amends just minutes after the break. It was yet another 'Amoory' moment. Omar, the chief tormentor, delivered a defence splitting sublime pass into the penalty box and Berg, charging from the right, whipped a shot past keeper Al Zaabi into the left corner.
And even with 40 minutes to go, 'Ainawi' started victory celebrations in the stand.
There was a brief resistance and a meek response by Al Wasl but then the 'Cheetahs' from Zabeel Stadium almost gave up chase as Al Ain kept hunting ruthlessly with Omar, Hussein El Shahat, Berg, Caio and Rayan Yaslam all having a go at the goal.
There was added drama in 76 minutes as Ismail Ahmed was handed a second yellow for a sliding challenge on Salem Al Azizi.
With 14-odd minutes left on the clock, Al Wasl made the man advantage count as Caio pulled one back with a thunderous volley. The goal in 90 minutes made it an absorbing four minutes of extra time but Al Wasl ran out of gas to pull an equaliser and force extra time.
Now with their seventh President's Cup in the bag along with the 13th League title, Al Ain will continue the pursuit for more trophies with the AFC Champions League 2018 fixtures. There could be more with the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup later in the year.
Al Ain, the decorated club, are surely turning their golden jubilee year into the most memorable one.
By Ashwani Kumar
