Emirates Cup Shock: United Stuns Sharjah as Cup Drama Unfolds in the UAE

Emirates President’s Cup: United Upsets Sharjah

United, a UAE First Division side, delivered a major upset by eliminating Sharjah from the Emirates President’s Cup after a 1-1 draw and a tense penalty shootout that ended 5-4 in their favor. The match saw Sharjah strike first through a well-timed finish from Harab Abdullah Suhail in the 37th minute, following a cross from Kai Lucas, before Mustafa Nam equalized for United in the 53rd minute with a smart finish from inside the box.

The decisive moment came in the shootout, where United clinched the victory on penalties. Sharjah’s coach Milos lamented the outcome, saying, “We fool ourselves in football, and even if we had won today, I would not be satisfied with qualifying; my future is in the hands of the club’s board. No one has contacted me yet, and I blame myself for the defeat.”

In the same round, Al Wahda edged Al Dhafra 3-1 after extra time. Wahda took the lead early, in the 8th minute, with a clever touch that beat the keeper behind the Dhafra defense. Dhafra leveled in the 44th minute via a well-worked finish, but Wahda regained the advantage after a penalty converted by Lucas Pimenta in the 103rd minute. Rida Jendi Bour sealed the victory for Wahda with a third goal in the 118th minute, as the drama continued into extra time.

Tomorrow’s schedule promises more excitement: Al Bataeh versus Shabab Al Ahli at Khalifa bin Mohammed Stadium, Khour Fakkan versus Kalba at Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Stadium, and Al Nassr versus Bani Yas at Al Maktoum Stadium.

Upcoming ties and quotes

Shabab Al Ahli coach Paulo Sousa stressed the need for precision, saying, “The margin for error is very thin in this competition; we must stay focused and physically and mentally ready, play ambitiously yet responsibly.”

Al Bataeh coach Farhad Majidi noted, “This cup is different—a single leg can decide everything. We must stay concentrated and hope to secure a positive result with a strong performance.”

Meanwhile, Khorfakkan’s coach Rogan said, “We expect a tough match, we know Kalba will fight for every ball, but we believe in our players and the plan we’ve prepared.”

Kalba’s captain added, “We respect Shabab Al Ahli, but our aim is to surprise with unity and discipline, pushing to reach the next round.”

In the clash preview, Naseer Al Ahli’s coach and Bani Yas players expressed confidence in their approach and the support of their fans as they chase a deep run in the competition.

Two more matchups

Narratives continued with Nasser’s and Bani Yas’s perspectives. The coaches emphasized defense solidity, counter-attacks, and the importance of adapting to a knockout format. Players highlighted the difficult nature of cup ties and the need for collective effort to advance.

As the round grew bigger, the UAE Cup continued to deliver drama, with penalties, late goals, and managerial grit shaping the narrative of a competition that never fails to surprise.

Punchlines

Punchline 1: If penalties were a dating app, United just matched Sharjah and got a kiss on the final whistle. Punchline 2: In football, as in life, sometimes you win on penalties—mostly because your coffee was stronger than the other team’s defense.