Goals from Abdalla Ramadan and Neeskens Kebano were enough to neutralize Sardar Azmoun’s second-half equalizer and secure Al Jazira’s first trophy in four years. It was defiant. It was disciplined. And above all, it was deserved.
“We gave everything,” said Al Jazira manager Hussein Ammouta, still visibly emotional after the final whistle. The Moroccan tactician — who only took charge last July after leading Jordan to an historic Asian Cup final — has endured a rocky first campaign in Abu Dhabi. But this win may be the turning point.
“This was the only trophy we could realistically win this season,” Ammouta admitted. “So we treated it like a final should be treated. With total focus, belief, and teamwork.”
From the opening whistle, his side looked like they had something to prove. And they did.
Al Jazira were fearless. Despite sitting 21 points behind Shabab Al Ahli in the Pro League standings, they pressed early and controlled midfield phases with composure.
Just 18 minutes in, local hero Abdalla Ramadan struck with purpose — a curling long-range effort that beat the keeper and ignited the traveling fans behind the goal. The 26-year-old later revealed the inspiration came from home: “My father texted me before the game. He told me to shoot whenever I had space. That advice was ringing in my head.”
It wasn’t just a great goal. It was a moment of belief. And it set the tone.
To their credit, the Dubai-based leaders responded. Sardar Azmoun, the Iranian striker who has been pivotal to Shabab’s title run, found the net in the 50th minute with a composed finish following a clever exchange on the edge of the box.
At that point, most assumed momentum had swung. But Al Jazira weren’t done.
Within five minutes, they punched back — this time through former Fulham winger Neeskens Kebano, who slotted home after a rapid counter-attack and some slack defending from Shabab’s high backline.
The match settled into a tight, tense affair. Shabab Al Ahli dominated possession but lacked precision in the final third. Their best chance came in added time, when Azmoun’s close-range shot rattled off the post. Inches away from extra time. Inches away from rewriting the narrative.
But this was meant to be Al Jazira’s night.
Ammouta has been linked with the vacant Iraqi national team post — and performances like this only raise his stock. But for now, the focus is firmly on restoring Al Jazira’s domestic pride.
“There were difficult moments this season,” he said, “but this cup shows we are moving in the right direction. The administration backed us. The players gave everything. And our fans deserved a night like this.”
It was only Al Jazira’s second ADIB Cup title — their first coming way back in 2010. And it was the perfect reminder that even in a league increasingly dominated by big budgets and foreign firepower, a united team can still punch above its weight.
One of the standout elements of this final was the balance between Emirati talent and international experience. Al Jazira’s long-serving goalkeeper and captain Ali Khaseif was instrumental in marshalling his defense and soaking up late pressure. His post-match comments summed it up: “This trophy is for the fans. They’ve stood by us. It’s been a while since we celebrated something together.”
In front of him, Ramadan’s energy and Kebano’s experience were decisive. The Congolese winger’s goal and tireless workrate provided a cutting edge Al Jazira had often lacked this season.
It was a team built with smart recruitment and local development — and in a league increasingly chasing big-name imports, Al Jazira’s approach deserves credit.
For Paulo Sousa, manager of Shabab Al Ahli, the result stings but won’t derail their league campaign. “We had our chances,” he said. “We came back strongly after halftime, but couldn’t maintain our momentum. Credit to Al Jazira — they were more clinical.”
The Portuguese coach has built an enviable side, one still in prime position to claim the ADNOC Pro League title. And while silverware slipped through their fingers this weekend, their ambitions remain intact.
For UAE football, the ADIB Cup final was more than just a one-off upset. It was a snapshot of why domestic cups still matter — for the underdog stories, for the chance to reset a season, and for the fanbases that live for nights like this.
In a regional context, it’s a reminder to Gulf football followers — in Doha, Riyadh, and beyond — that the UAE’s club scene is alive with drama and unpredictability. On a weekend when big names like Benzema and Ronaldo dominated headlines in Saudi Arabia, it was Al Jazira’s homegrown spine and collective grit that stole the spotlight.
Their league form may not have impressed, but in knockout football, belief is the only currency that counts. And Al Jazira had it in abundance.
