Alkass Digital
Umm Salal claimed their maiden Ooredoo Cup title after overcoming Al Arabi 3-1 on penalties after their thrilling final finished deadlocked at 4-4 at Grand Hamad Stadium yesterday.
Goalkeeper Landing Badji emerged as the hero after the Senegalese blocked two spot kicks in the shootout as the Orange Fortress finally celebrated their triumph in the tournament after losing finals in 2011 and 2023.
It was the third defeat in the finals for Al Arabi, who remained without the Ooredoo Cup title having also lost the title clashes in 2013 and 2020.
But Al Arabi - the reigning Amir Cup champions – despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half fought hard, quashing a three-goal lead and almost had sealed the victory before a stoppage time goal by substitute Ali Afif rescued Umm Salal.
“It was a thrilling final. It’s a historic title for Umm Salal and we are so happy to finally win this trophy. It was one of the best performances from Umm Salal,” Afif said after the match.
“I am delighted with the victory and I congratulate the fans for this title. We will give our best to win more in the future.”
Captain Andy Delort gave Umm Salal a flying start heading the ball in from a close range following a sixth minute corner kick.
The Patrice Carteron-coached side suffered an injury blow as Delort was stretchered off after coming under a heavy tackle in 25th minute.
Umm Salal remained undeterred and doubled their lead with Ilyes Maxence Brimil scoring in 37th minute, three minutes before Marouane Louadni’s spectacular scissors kick put Umm Salal three goals clear of Younes Ali’s side.
A red card to Ahmed Moein in 44th compounded Al Arabi woes but they finally got a breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty for a handball in stoppage time before the break.
Omar Al Somah comfortably converted the spot kick before taking the Dream Team into the lead with a header in 81st minute after substitutes Ibrahim Kala (49th minute) and Salem Reda (75th minute) equalised the scores.
After Ali Afif, who came off the bench in 79th minute, dragged the final to penalty shootout with a goal from a close range in first minute of stoppage time, Badji ensured Umm Salal go out of the pulsating final as winners.
The goalkeeper blocked Al Somah’s hit in Al Arabi’s first attempt and cleared another strike denying Wassem Keddari to seal victory after Kala had missed the target. Helal Mohamed was the only scorer for Al Arabi in the shootout.
Victor Lekhal, Ali Hassan and Omar Yahya successfully scored for the Orange Fortess while Khaled Abdelraouf’s attempt was stopped by Al Arabi goalkeeper Amir Hassan.