Shabab Al-Ahli overcomes Al-Rayyan to clinch Challenge Shield

UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli claimed the Challenge Shield in the Qatar-UAE Super Cup with a 3-1 victory over Al-Rayyan of Qatar at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday evening.

Played as part of the four-game Qatar-UAE Super Cup tournament, this clash pitted last season’s Qatar Stars League runners-up Al-Rayyan and the UAE Pro League runners-up Shabab Al-Ahli.

The match began with a slight advantage for Shabab Al-Ahli, who pressed Al-Rayyan’s defense in search of an early goal. Al-Rayyan also attempted to organize attacks, but Shabab Al-Ahli opened the scoring through Yuri Cesar, who struck a powerful shot into the roof of the net in the 28th minute after receiving a cross.

After several attempts, Al-Rayyan managed to equalize when Brazilian Roger Guedes skillfully broke into the box and sent a cross that was accidentally turned into the net by Shabab Al-Ahli’s Brazilian defender Renar Victor in the 41st minute. The first half ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

In the second half, Shabab Al-Ahli continued their attacking efforts. Brazilian Guilherme Bala led an attack and delivered a cross into the box, which was converted by Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun into the net, making it 2-1 in the 52nd minute.

Al-Rayyan tried to respond, with Moroccan Achraf Bencharki sending a cross that Roger Guedes headed toward goal, only for the goalkeeper to parry it away for a corner in the 72nd minute.

In stoppage time, Shabab Al-Ahli sealed the victory with a counterattack, as Guilherme Bala scored their third goal in the 97th minute.