Al Arabi win Qatar-UAE Super Cup as Msakni scores in a tense tie
Sudesh Baniya in Al Thumama Stadium
DOHA: Al Arabi wanted to slay the Kings and after 90 intense minutes at the Al Thumama Stadium, they were the victors. A second-half goal from Youssef Msakni separated the two sides as Arabi defeated Sharjah to lift the inaugural Qatar-UAE Super Cup – having qualified for the fixture on the back of a historic Amir Cup victory last season.
The game kicked off after a spectacular laser display on the pitch of Al Thumama, and the unfurling of a tifo by Al-Arabi fans, which showed a superhuman Arbawi, alongside banners displaying a simple message: KINGS SLAYER, and YOU’RE NEXT. It was a reference to Sharjah’s nickname, and the Al Arabi players on the field made sure the intention came to fruition.
In a clash of sides that heavily relied on their playmakers for difference, it was Miralem Pjanic who left frustrated – a position Marco Veratti could’ve been in. It was not the most convincing of wins – the Kings of Sharjah were not slayed per se, and a controversial decision to overturn the penalty in the second half’s injury time also makes that case.
Msakni’s goal came on the back of a more animated half, just at the stroke of the hour mark – a period that saw the home team come alive.
The Tunisian converted on the third time of calling, two previous chances also coming in the start of the second half. For comparison, he seemed out of touch in the forty-five, although Verratti and Rafinha Alcantara seemed to make things work in the middle of the pitch.
A rather bleak first half saw a balance in power and neither side managed to break through. The approaches were rather similar, however. Unable to offer much from the respective midfield and trying to compensate with long balls, chances came at a premium.
Al Arabi came closest to goal the first, with Rafinha finding himself in space with a late run in the 37th minute. A failed connection meant the shot was yet another in the sequence of failed chances, followed by another wide header from the corner.
It was Sharjah’s shot just before the half-time whistle that forced a save off Arabi shot stopper Jassim Al Hail’s gloves with Moussa Marega getting on the back of a through-ball in the most convincing chance of the first forty-five.
Sharjah were denied perhaps the most potent opportunity by the VAR, though. After Verratti’s foul and the subsequent second yellow card was overturned – a decision that took a long time to be given – heated discussions would ensue following the final whistle.
Arabi could have finished the game with ten men on the field and with a penalty to defend only if a foul on Ahmed Fathi had not preceded Verratti’s rather late challenge.
With Arabi victorious in the clash of Cup winners, Al Duhail will face defending UAE league champions Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai.
