Al Ahli were crowned Challenge Cup champions after edging past Al Jazira 4–3 on penalties in a dramatic third edition of the UAE–Qatar Super Cup on Sunday.
The shootout turned on a pivotal moment when Khalifa Al Hammadi saw his spot-kick saved, allowing Suhaib Gannan to step up and calmly convert the decisive penalty to seal the title for Al Ahli.
It was a final packed with late drama. Al Jazira looked to be heading for victory after taking control in the second half, but Al Ahli had other ideas in the dying moments, forcing the contest into penalties with a stoppage-time equaliser.
Three minutes after the restart, Vinícius Mello broke the deadlock for Al Jazira, collecting the ball inside the box before drilling a low finish into the bottom corner.
Simon Banza nearly doubled the advantage just before the hour mark, his effort flashing narrowly past the top-right corner, while Ibrahim Adel later squandered another golden chance, firing inches over with a clinical opening in sight.
Just when Al Jazira seemed set for glory, Julian Draxler rose highest in stoppage time to power home Michel Vlap’s cross, dragging Al Ahli back into the contest and sending the final to penalties.
From there, Al Ahli held their nerve. And when Gannan converted the final kick, celebrations erupted as Al Ahli lifted the Challenge Cup after a night of tension, twists, and late heroics.
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