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Al Jazira book place in Etisalat Cup final with last-gasp winner at Al Wahda

Al Jazira came out on top in the Abu Dhabi derby with a 2-1 victory at Al Wahda, to set up an Etisalat Cup final against the evening’s earlier winners Ajman. An early goal from Matias Delgado and a late winner from UAE national team striker Ali Mabkhout sealed Spanish coach Luis Milla’s first win since taking over at Al Jazira, and gives the club a real chance at claiming silverware in the final, set for the end of the season.

The visitors got off to a flying start against their local rivals, taking the lead after just five minutes when Fernandinho’s cross from the left found the advancing Matias Delgado, and the Argentine side-footed into the net to make it 1-0 to Al Jazira. Having taken an early lead, Al Jazira were able to exert their control on the game and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half, fashioning several further scoring chances including a close one from captain Diaky. Al Wahda were not without opportunities, as a stinging drive from Saeed Al Kathiri called Ali Khaseif into action in the 33rd minute. Two minutes later, Khamis Esmail was relieved to see Ismaeil Matar’s on-target free kick palmed away by Ali Khaseif after the Al Jazira midfielder had bundled Saeed Al Kathiri over in a dangerous position within shooting range. Despite good chances created by both sides, the difference at half time remained Al Jazira’s fifth-minute opener.

Branko Ivankovic’s half-time team talk clearly had the desired effect, as the home side wasted no time in getting back on level pegging after the restart. It took Al Wahda just five minutes into the second period to equalise as a cross came in from the right and Croatian defender Srdan Andric found himself with a free header in the box, which he duly buried to make it 1-1 in the 50th minute. Luis Milla, still in search of an elusive first win as Al Jazira boss, brought on Salem Ali and Ali Mabkhout in place of Subait Khater and Ibrahim Diaky to try and swing the scoreline back in his side’s favour. The substitute Mabkhout, fresh from his goal-scoring exploits for the UAE against Uzbekistan on Friday, almost had a valuable impact as he provided a peach of a pass for Ricardo Oliveira to run onto in the 80th minute. The Brazilian returned the favour by crossing the ball across the face of goal but the onrushing Mabkhout just failed to connect for a tap-in as the chance went begging. Opportunities continued to arise in the final ten minutes of normal time, as both teams hoped to avoid having to play an extended game, with Al Jazira hitting the top of the crossbar from an 87th minute corner and Ismaeil Matar going close at the other end for Al Wahda a minute later. Repeating the feat achieved for his country at club level, it was the substitute Ali Mabkhout who proved to be the match-winner once again as he popped up to score a last-minute winner for the visitors. A free kick on the edge of the area was whipped in by the earlier scorer Delgado, and Mabkhout sent a glancing header from a central position into the back of the net to put Al Jazira 2-1 up in the 90th minute. Al Wahda continued to pressure during the three minutes of added time, with Saeed Al Kathiri once again going close, but the referee blew his whistle to confirm Al Jazira’s place in the Etisalat Cup final.