Dubai: Down, but never out. That was the lesson as nine-man Al Wasl prevailed 3-2 over defending champions Shabab Al Ahli Dubai to book their place in the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup here on Thursday.

The two teams had ended goalless at the end of last week’s first leg in Al Ghusais. And on Thursday, it looked as though Shabab Al Ahli Dubai had punched their ticket for a second straight final — on the away goals rule after being tied 1-1 and later 2-2 with two minutes to go. But Brazilian Caio Canedo intervened as he snatched a match-winner one minute into the five minutes of extra-time and deny the defending champions.

Al Wasl will now meet Al Wahda in the final to be held on March 29.

After long spells of domination, the home went into the lead in the 14th minute when Abdullah Saleh headed in a corner, only to see Esmail Al Hammadi get the equaliser within two minutes with a fine individual effort. The visitors nearly put things out of reach for Al Wasl when substitute Waleed Ambar placed into an empty goal in the 72nd minute.

But the home team never gave up as Humaid Abdullah Abbas made it 2-2 in the 88th minute and then Canedo slammed in the match-winner one minute into extra period to send the home crowd into delirium.

With four players featuring in the national team that is currently on duty at the King’s Cup in Bangkok, the visitors had to make do with a bunch of players who have come through the youth ranks including Walid Hassan, Abdul Aziz Ali, Mohammad Sayed, Mohammad Sabil Obaid and Saeed Jasim. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai were further affected after seasoned defender Salmeen Khamis sustained an injury with 26 minutes gone in the first half.

Expectedly, it was the home side having the first look on goal in the eighth minute when Hazza Salem let fly a stinging shot that missed the target narrowly. They didn’t have to wait for long to go clear as Abdullah Saleh darted in to connect a corner kick in the 14th minute and put the home team ahead.

Hardly had the cheers died when Al Hammadi brought the teams on level terms as he collected a long ball, cut past an onrushing goalkeeper Humaid Abdullah Ali and swerved the ball deep at the far post. The game opened up thereafter with Majid Nasser stretched to the full to keep away a Ronaldo Mendes free kick in the 37th minute.

Tied 1-1 at half-time, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai entered the second half knowing that even a draw would be enough to see them through. Midway through the second half, the visitors were further in command after a sheer piece of brilliance from Mohammad Sabil as he ploughed his way from his own half and released for substitute Waleed Ambar to slam home in the 72nd minute. Three minutes later, Al Wasl lost Abdul Rahman Ali as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled that the home team defender had kicked Ambar on his follow through.

Down to ten men, the Cheetahs never gave up as defender Humaid Abdullah Abbas nudged in the equaliser with two minutes remaining following a swerving free kick from Mendes. And then Canedo broke the visitors’ resistance in the very first minute of extra-time when he slammed in the match-winner from the top of the box.

Result
Al Wasl 3 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 2