Al Wasl enter President's Cup final after penalty shootout

Abu Dhabi - Al Wasl will meet Al Ain in the final of the President's Cup.

Al Wasl beat defending champions Al Wahda in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure the UAE President's Cup final spot at the Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday late night.
The semis encounter, on expected lines, was a tight one. It finished 2-2 after normal time and 3-3 at the end of extra minutes. The 'Cheetahs' clinched penalty 5-4 after keeper Yousef Al Zaabi saved spot kick by Al Wahda's goal-scoring machine Sebastian Tagliabue.
It was an explosive match which saw plenty of battles between hungry strikers and defiant keepers. In the first half, Al Wahda played with aggression and kept knocking on Al Wasl door through Balazs Dzsudzsak, Sebastian Tagliabue and Mourad Batna. Al Wasl, too, had odd shy at goal through Fabio de Lima and Caio Canedo.
There were chances created at either ends mostly resulting from sloppy work by defenders. However, keepers were up to the task on all occasions. Al Wasl's Al Zaabi and Al Wahda's Mohammed Al Shamsi made some excellent saves to keep it goalless in first 45 minutes.
Second half was a test of character for teams as cat and mouse game continued. Attacks resumed and in 47 minutes, Batna slammed one into the net but got ruled off-side.
However in 56 minutes, Tagliabue broke the deadlock. It was a superbly curled cross by Batna and Tagliabue struck a knockout header to make it 1-0.
Al Wasl responded immediately and equalised in 64 minutes. Lima was able to size up Al Wahda goal and deposit the ball into the far left post past a diving Al Shamsi.
Keeping the momentum, Al Wasl fired one more as Caio converted from Salem Al Azizi's cross.
The goal saw Al Wahda play with more resolve and find an equaliser. Tagliabue scored on second attempt following Dzsudzsak thunderous volley on goal. It was 2-2 in regulation time.
In extra time, Batna made it 3-2 game with his header but all Al Azizi made it 3-3 with his 115-minute sensational effort.
And when it was time for penalties, Al Wahda's mainstay Tagliabue  failed to score. It was a sweet revenge for Al Wasl's loss to Al Wahda in Arabian Gulf Cup final. Al Wasl will now meet Al Ain in the final of the President's Cup.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

Goals:
Al Wahda: Sebastian Tagliabue (56, 81), Mourad Batna (113)
Al Wasl: Fabio de Lima (64), Caio Canedo (73), Salem Al Azizi (115)