Al Ain puts an end to United’s surprises… and sets a date with Al Jazira in the cup final

Al Ain set a date with Al Jazira in the final of the President’s Cup, after putting an end to United’s surprises – one of the first-class clubs – by beating them with two unanswered goals, today, Sunday, at Al Nahyan Stadium in the capital, Abu Dhabi, in front of a limited audience attendance that did not exceed 2,000 fans.

Al Ain waited until extra time to resolve the confrontation, after regular time ended in a goalless draw, before Sufyan Rahimi succeeded in scoring the first goal of the match from a penalty kick, which his brother Hussein Rahimi obtained following an intervention by United goalkeeper Enayat, in the 102nd minute.

Sufyan Rahimi returned to strengthen his team’s lead by scoring his second personal goal, taking advantage of a repeated mistake by the United goalkeeper, who tried to dodge him, before the Al Ain striker succeeded in intercepting the ball and placing it into the net easily, in the 105th minute.

The match started with clear caution, especially on the part of the United team, which focused on securing its defensive areas and preventing Al Ain players from reaching goalkeeper Enayat Nour.

As time passed, specifically in the middle of the first half, signs of danger began to appear for Al Ain, when Sufyan Rahimi was alone in the goal, but the goalkeeper successfully blocked the attempt.

Al Ain continued its offensive pressure, gradually approaching the opening of the scoring, but the crossbar intervened to deprive Sufyan Rahimi of an achieved goal after a powerful header.

Rafael Rodriguez wasted the most important opportunity for Al Ain to advance, after a rebound from the United goalkeeper, but he shot it near the post despite the goal being empty.

In the second half, the match scenario continued as it was, with Al Ain’s field superiority and continuous attempts to resolve the match before resorting to extra time, but the team lacked success, especially after Sufyan Rahimi’s “scissors” went slightly over the crossbar.

United almost snatched a surprise goal, shocking Al Ain fans, when they took advantage of Rami Rabiaa’s mistake and penetrated into the penalty area, shooting a powerful ball just over the crossbar, ending regular time scoreless, before Rahimi decided the match in favor of Al Ain in extra time.