This year’s Arabian Gulf Cup finalists will be confirmed following the conclusion of Tuesday’s semi-final second legs, but who will make it to the final? Here’s a look at what’s to come.
Ittihad Kalba are scheduled to host Al Nasr at 5:30 pm before Shabab Al Ahli welcome Al Wasl at Rashid Stadium at 8:15 pm.
Ittihad Kalba vs Al Nasr
Ittihad Kalba ran out 2-1 winners over Al Nasr at Al Maktoum Stadium in the first leg. The defending champions faced an uphill task at home as they were reduced to 10 men after five minutes into the game. Peniel Mlapa and Nasser Abdulhadi scored for the guests before Toze grabbed an important goal.
The Tigers are looking to seal their spot in the final to etch their name into the history books. Ittihad Kalba had a tough journey to the semi-final that saw them eliminate heavyweights Al Jazira in the playoff round, before beating Bani Yas on penalties to advance to the semis for the first time in their history. On the other hand, the titleholders received a bye into the quarters, where they eliminated Fujairah.
Ittihad Kalba start Tuesday’s game on the front foot, thanks to their two away goals at Al Maktoum Stadium, and enter the match on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win over Fujairah. A draw would be enough for the hosts to qualify to the final and a 2-0 win would seal the spot for the Blues, while a 2-1 win for Al Nasr would send the game to a penalty shootout.
Shabab Al Ahli vs Al Wasl
Al Wasl will look for a turnaround in the second leg of the semi-final against Shabab Al Ahli, after losing 2-0 in the home leg. Goals from Igor Jesus and Mohamed Jaber at Zabeel Stadium handed Shabab Al Ahli a comfortable advantage ahead of the second leg, as they seek to advance to the final for the third time in a row and target a record-extending fifth title.
On the other hand, Al Wasl look to pile on the pressure on the home side early on in search of their first goal in the two-legged tie. They eliminated Al Wahda and Sharjah on their way to the semi-final and enter the match on the back of two successive draws with Ittihad Kalba and Al Wahda in the league.
Did you know?
- Ittihad Kalba advanced to the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final for the first time in their history.
- Al Nasr seek to reach their second Arabian Gulf Cup final in a row and third overall.
- This marks the 12th clash between Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf Cup (3 wins for Al Wasl, 5 wins for Shabab Al Ahli, 3 draws).
- Al Wasl advanced to the semi-final for the sixth time in their history, while Shabab Al Ahli made it to the semis for a record nine times.
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