Al Jazira stun Shabab Al Ahli to clinch second ADIB Cup crown
Al Jazira lifted the ADIB Cup for the second time in their history with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Shabab Al Ahli at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday night, delivering a memorable performance in front of an electric crowd.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi, who first won the ADIB Cup title in the 2019-20 season, struck first in the 18th minute through midfield maestro Abdalla Ramadan, who unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that left the goalkeeper no chance.
His rocket of a shot smashed into the back of the net, igniting celebrations among the Jazira faithful and giving his side a crucial early lead.
The goal marked Ramadan's fourth in the competition this season, continuing his strong run of form, with his last two goals notably coming against Shabab Al Ahli.
Shabab Al Ahli came out firing after the break and were rewarded for their pressure just five minutes into the second half.
Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun rose to the occasion, heading the ball powerfully onto the crossbar before pouncing on the rebound to fire home a composed finish from close range. In doing so, Azmoun made history by becoming the first Iranian player to score in an ADIB Cup final, offering his side a glimmer of hope.
However, Al Jazira responded almost instantly with a moment of brilliance. Just five minutes after conceding the equaliser, they reclaimed the lead in stunning fashion.
Congolese international Neeskens Kebano was at the heart of it, latching onto a beautifully threaded pass from Vinicius Mello.
With a burst of pace, Kebano skipped past right-back Kauan Silva and, from a tight angle, slotted a precise shot into the bottom corner.
His goal not only secured the win for Jazira but also made history, as he became the first Congolese player to score in an ADIB Cup final.
Al Jazira's mix of attacking flair and resolute defending was enough to see out the remainder of the match, as they held off a determined Shabab Al Ahli side to clinch the title.
'We've been navigating a very difficult season, so to come away with a trophy—especially against a team that's leading the Pro League and has already lifted this cup five times—is a tremendous achievement,' said Al Jazira manager Hussein Ammouta.
'It hasn't been an easy journey. There were highs and lows, but winning a title like this brings much-needed confidence to the squad.
'It gives the players belief and motivation to finish the season strong, and of course, it brings immense joy to our fans and club management.'
Ammouta, who took over at Al Jazira in July following his remarkable run to the AFC Asian Cup final with Jordan, is no stranger to UAE football, having played for Sharjah during the 2002–2003 season.
'The ADIB Cup was our only realistic shot at silverware this season, and I'm truly delighted that we managed to take it,' the Moroccan coach added.
'The players gave everything tonight. They understood the importance of this match and rose to the occasion for the fans. We created our first real chance in the 12th minute and converted the second. From there, we stayed focused on the essentials—maintaining composure, sticking to the plan, and above all, showing resilience. They never gave up, and that determination made all the difference.'
Shabab Al Ahli manager Paulo Sousa acknowledged his team's missed opportunities in front of goal while crediting Al Jazira for their performance.
'We certainly created our chances, but on the night, the better team came out on top,' the Portuguese coach admitted.
'After Jazira took the lead in the first half, we responded well and managed to equalise. However, we couldn't hold on to that momentum for long. We had opportunities to score another goal or two, but it just wasn't our night.'
Sousa also reflected on the broader picture, adding: 'Of course, we're disappointed with the result, but it was an entertaining match for the fans. Now, our focus shifts back to the Pro League as we look to maintain our position at the top.'
Al Jazira players celebrate with the trophy after winning the ADIB Cup final against Shabab Al Ahli.
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