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Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE President's Cup: Dubai's Shabab Al Ahli beat Sharjah to win title
Dubai-based Shabab Al Ahli defeated Sharjah to lift the UAE President's Cup on Friday night. The Red Knights won 2-1 at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to clinch the prestigious Cup for a record 11th time. Sharjah took the lead through Marcos Meloni in the 14th minute, but Yuri Cesar equalised for Shabab Al Ahli in the first minute of stoppage time (45+1). Cesar then scored again in the 64th minute, giving Shabab Al Ahli the decisive advantage. With this victory, Shabab Al Ahli have surpassed Sharjah in the number of UAE President's Cup titles, claiming their 11th title, while Sharjah have won it 10 times. The triumph also marks Shabab Al Ahli's fourth title this season, achieving a historic milestone for the team, having already secured the Adnoc Pro League, the UAE Super Cup, and the UAE-Qatar Super Cup.
Arab News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Yuri Cesar the hero as Shabab Al-Ahli beat Sharjah to take President's Cup
DUBAI: Brazilian winger Yuri Cesar emerged as the hero for all-conquering Shabab Al-Ahli as his brace of goals secured a come-from-behind 2-1 President's Cup final victory against Sharjah and the fourth trophy of an unforgettable campaign. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Paulo Sousa's troops walked out at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday fresh from securing ADNOC Pro League glory with three matches remaining, adding to their UAE-Qatar Challenge Shield and Emaar Super Cup triumphs. But their latest pursuit of glory got off to a tricky start when UAE utility player Marcus Meloni slotted in an early cross for The Kings, led by Cosmin Olaroiu. Ex-Flamengo youngster Cesar levelled in stunning fashion deep into first-half injury time with a superb free-kick, before a dizzying solo run and precise low strike from the edge of the penalty box proved decisive just past the hour mark. Sousa told Abu Dhabi Sports: 'Myself and my staff decided to come here (last summer) because we felt we had the ambition from the club, then we built it up. We deserve all these treasures; it was amazing. 'It's a very difficult team to play (Sharjah). They are really mature; without too many things they create lots of difficulties because they are really compact and determined in individual challenges.' Under the guidance of Sousa — and including the likes of Iran's superstar Sardar Azmoun and emerging UAE goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqbaali in their ranks — Shabab Al-Ahli have been this term's dominant force. They were only denied a clean domestic sweep after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Al-Jazira in last month's ADIB Cup showpiece. Shabab Al-Ahli are now the President's Cup's most successful team with 11 titles, one more than Sharjah. Friday's clash represented another near miss for their opponents, who are on course to finish a distant second in the top flight.
The National
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Paulo Sousa says Shabab Al Ahli 'deserve this win' after adding President's Cup to trophy collection
Paulo Sousa's dream debut season at the helm of Shabab Al Ahli got even better Friday as his side clinched a 2-1 win over Sharjah to win the President's Cup. Yuri Cesar scored twice either side of half time for Shabab Al Ahli after Marcos Meloni had put Sharjah in 2front with a 14th minute strike. It was the Dubai club's fourth title under the Portuguese this season having already won the Super Cup, UAE-Qatar Super Cup and the Adnoc Pro League in which they have taken an unassailable 11-point lead with three games left. Sousa's men fell short of a clean sweep of domestic trophies when they lost to Al Jazira in the ADIB League Cup final last month. 'I mentioned this team was the best this season at the pre-match conference and now it got better with the President's Cup triumph,' the former Fiorentina and Poland manager said. 'It was a tough game against Sharjah but that's expected in a final. We deserved this win as we were the better side on the night with better possession and more chances created.' Friday's victory in Abu Dhabi also saw Shabab Al Ahli move out on their own as the President's Cup's most successful team with 11 titles, one more than Sharjah. 'It really was a momentous moment for the club, fans, players and also for me in my first season,' Sousa added. 'Personally, I couldn't have wished for a better first season here. Full credit to my staff and the players who gave everything on the pitch and for the fans who stood behind us at every game.' Cesar's equaliser two minutes into first half added time - a superb free kick - was crucial. The Brazilian struck again on 64 minutes to put Shabab Al Ahli ahead, a lead they would not relinquish. 'That equaliser indeed was the game changer,' Sousa said. 'That goal set the platform for us to get back in the game. It wasn't that we were not in the game with a goal down but going into half time provided us that extra bit of energy and motivation.' Bogdan Planic, Shabab Al Ahli's Serbian centre-back, said facing Sharjah was always tough. 'Like every game we played against them this season they have proved a very hard team to beat, and it was a very good game again,' he said. 'Like it was one of our big days, they too were waiting for this moment. They used their counter-attacks to good effect but I think we had good control against their play. 'We had the good fortune to score the equaliser just before the half time and then take the lead soon after the break. I think we deserved this win, as we have been playing extremely well throughout the season.' Planic said there was no panic in the Shabab Al Ahli ranks after Sharjah took the lead. 'We have done that on many occasions throughout the season,' he said. 'We were one or two goals down in some games but we came back strongly to win them. It was similar when Sharjah took the lead. We bid our time and were confident. 'The only disappointment this season was losing the ADIB League Cup in which we couldn't raise our game.'
Dubai Eye
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Shabab Al Ahli clinch UAE President's Cup
Dubai's Shabab Al Ahli won the UAE President's Cup, beating Sharjah 2-1 in the final at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. Sharjah took the lead through Marcos Meloni in the 14th minute, but Yuri Cesar equalised for Shabab Al Ahli in the first minute of stoppage time (45+1). Cesar then scored again in the 64th minute, giving the Dubai side the decisive advantage. With this victory, Shabab Al Ahli surpassed Sharjah in the number of UAE President's Cup titles, claiming their 11th title, while Sharjah have won it 10 times. The triumph also marks Shabab Al Ahli's fourth title this season, achieving a historic milestone for the team, having already secured the ADNOC Pro League, the UAE Super Cup, and the UAE-Qatar Super Cup.
Gulf Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Shabab Al Ahli win UAE President's Cup
Shabab Al Ahli have been crowned champions of the 48th edition of the UAE President's Cup, securing the title for the 11th time in their history after defeating Sharjah 2-1 in the final at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Sharjah took the lead through Marcos Meloni in the 14th minute, but Yuri Cesar equalised for Shabab Al Ahli in the first minute of stoppage time (45+1). Cesar then scored again in the 64th minute, giving Shabab Al Ahli the decisive advantage. With this victory, Shabab Al Ahli have surpassed Sharjah in the number of UAE President's Cup titles, claiming their 11th title, while Sharjah have won it 10 times. The triumph also marks Shabab Al Ahli's fourth title this season, achieving a historic milestone for the team, having already secured the ADNOC Pro League, the UAE Super Cup, and the UAE-Qatar Super Cup.
