DOHA: Al Sadd won the Qatari-Emirati Super Cup on Saturday evening, edging UAE side Shabab Al Ahli 3-2 in an entertaining match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
The Qatari champions secured their first title of the season despite conceding the opening goal in the 29th minute, when Shabab Al Ahli’s Brazilian forward Yuri Cesar found the net.
Al Sadd responded by increasing the tempo and creating several chances, including a missed opportunity by Youssef Atal in the 39th minute, whose effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
They dominated proceedings after the break and were rewarded in the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Akram Afif, a decision confirmed after a VAR review by the Swedish referee. Roberto Firmino converted confidently, sending the ball to the right of goalkeeper Hamad Al Muqbali.
Akram Afif put Al Sadd ahead in the 74th minute after receiving a pass from Pedro, controlling it inside the penalty area and firing a left-footed shot into the net. Shabab Al Ahli responded swiftly, with young Emirati Mohammed Jumaa heading in the equaliser just four minutes later.
Al Sadd continued to press in the closing stages and were finally rewarded deep into stoppage time, when Firmino struck again in the fifth minute after a swift counter-attack to seal a deserved victory and lift the Super Cup.
