Al Wahda beat Al Ain on penalties to secure fourth ADIB Cup crown

Al Wahda were crowned ADIB Cup 2025–2026 champions after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Al Ain, winning 4-2 following a tense goalless draw at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

The triumph marks Al Wahda’s fourth title in the history of the competition, cementing their status as one of UAE football’s most successful clubs. The final started with Al Ain asserting dominance early on, pressing high and testing Al Wahda’s defense.

In the 9th minute, Laba Kodjo nearly opened the scoring with a thunderous strike from outside the box, only to be denied by an outstanding save from Al Wahda goalkeeper Zayed Al Hamadi, who would emerge as the hero of the match.

Al Wahda gradually found their rhythm and responded with a long-range effort from Facundo Daniel, which Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa managed to parry away.

The first half continued as a tense tactical battle, with both sides probing for weaknesses but struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Al Hamadi remained a wall in goal, making another vital stop from Kodjo in the 39th minute and denying Kaku in stoppage time, ensuring the teams went into the interval scoreless.

The second half saw Al Ain resume their attacking pressure, looking determined to break the deadlock. A key moment came in the 51st minute when Matias Palacios missed a golden opportunity to put Al Ain ahead, firing wide from close range despite having only the keeper to beat.

Al Wahda responded with a series of counterattacks, with Dusan Tadic creating danger in the 68th minute by dribbling past two defenders before sending his shot over the crossbar.

As the clock ticked down, both sides had their moments, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough. Tactical discipline, defensive resilience, and heroic goalkeeping ensured the match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, sending the final into the high-pressure arena of a penalty shootout.

When it came to spot-kicks, Al Wahda held their nerve, converting four of their attempts while Al Ain managed only two, sealing the victory and sparking jubilant celebrations among players, staff, and supporters. The win not only brought silverware to Al Wahda but also highlighted their mental toughness and composure under pressure.

The result was a historic milestone for coach Hassan Al-Abdooli, who became the first Emirati coach to win the ADIB Cup with Al Wahda and only the second Emirati coach to lift the trophy after Mahdi Ali. Speaking after the match, Abdooli praised his players’ determination and credited past coaching staff for laying the groundwork for the team’s success.

Goalkeeper Hamadi, was widely praised for his match-winning performance, making crucial saves at key moments and keeping Al Wahda in the game during intense periods of Al Ain pressure.

Forward Omar Khribin also emphasized that the victory represents a reward for the team’s hard work and a motivation to continue competing for Adnoc Pro League title.

“We hope this title will be the beginning of more achievements in the upcoming phase, which will require a lot of work and focus.”

Despite the loss, Al Ain coach Vladimir Ivic expressed pride in his squad’s performance, acknowledging that his young team showed great promise and created multiple chances, particularly in the first half.

Ivic noted that the experience gained in such high-stakes matches would be invaluable for the club’s future.

Abdullah Nasser Al Junaibi, Vice-President, UAE Football Association (UAEFA) and Chairman of the Pro League Committee (PLC), gave away the trophies in the presence of Mohamed Abdelbary, Group Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB).