The President’s Cup final takes place in Abu Dhabi this weekend, with Sharjah and Al Ain battling it out for the most coveted cup in UAE football. Here are the details.
What is it?
The 2022/23 President’s Cup. The competition, which began in December, was revised this season to comprise 32 teams from the top two divisions in UAE football: the Adnoc Pro League and the First Division. The President’s Cup, now in its 46th edition, is considered the highest-valued cup in Emirati football.
When is it?
Friday, April 28, 7:25pm. Gates open at 4:25pm.
Where is it?
Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
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Sharjah players and staff celebrate winning the 2022 President’s Cup after defeating Al Wahda 1-0 at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah players celebrate after Paco Alcacer scores the first and only goal of the President’s Cup fina. Victor Besa / The National -
Paco Alcacer celebrates after scoring a goal in the President's Cup final. EPA -
Sharjah players celebrate after Paco Alcacer scores the first and only goal of the President’s Cup final. Victor Besa / The National -
Paco Alcacer on the ball during the President’s Cup final at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Victor Besa / The National -
Caio Lucas of Sharhah in action during the President's Cup final. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah players celebrate after defeating Al Wahda in the President’s Cup final. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah players and staff celebrate winning the President’s Cup. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah players celebrate with the trophy after winning the President’s Cup. Victor Besa / The National -
Caio Lucas with his son after Sharhah beat Al Wahda in the President's Cup final. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah players celebrate with the trophy after winning the President’s Cup. Victor Besa / The National -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan gives a trophy to Sharjah manager Cosmin Olaroiu. Victor Besa / The National -
Caio Lucas attempts to keep the ball under pressure from three Al Wahda players. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah players celebrate after Paco Alcacer's a goal in the President's Cup final. EPA -
Ousmane Camara of Sharjah in action against Tahnoon Alzaabi of Al Wahda. EPA -
Sharjah celebrate with the trophy after winning the President's Cup final. EPA -
Sharjah celebrate with the trophy after winning the President's Cup final. EPA -
Al Wahda FC fans cheer during the President’s Cup finals at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah FC fans cheer during the President’s Cup finals match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Victor Besa / The National -
Sharjah FC fans cheer during the President’s Cup finals match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Wahda FC fans cheer during the President’s Cup finals at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Wahda FC fans cheer during the President’s Cup finals at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Victor Besa / The National
Who’s playing?
Holders Sharjah take on current league champions Al Ain in a tie that pits together two of the most successful clubs in the competition.
Last season, Sharjah defeated Al Wahda in the final by a solitary goal to claim a ninth President’s Cup. Only Shabab Al Ahli (formerly Al Ahli) have won more, with 10. Al Ain, meanwhile, sit third on the all-time charts having lifted the trophy seven times - most recently in 2018.
Sharjah are managed by Asian football’s hugely decorated coach Cosmin Olaroiu, and boast players of the calibre of former Roma, Juventus and Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, former Valencia, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund striker Paco Alcacer and ex-Benfica winger Ciao Lucas.
Al Ain, meanwhile, are led by manager Serhiy Rebrov, who guided his side to last season’s Adnoc Pro League title – his debut campaign in UAE football. The team is spearheaded by Togo marksman Kodjo Laba, the current top scorer in the 2022/23 league, and includes former West Ham United winger Andriy Yarmolenko and marauding left-back Erik.
How they got here
Sharjah: R32: Bye / R16: 2-1 Al Nasr / QF: 2-1 Al Jazira / SF: 3-2 (agg) Ajman
Al Ain: R32: 4-0 Dibba Al Fujairah / R16: 1-0 Khorfakkan / QF: 2-0 Shabab Al Ahli / SF: 1-0 (agg) Al Wasl
How to watch in UAE
Tickets for the match can be found on Platinumlist. Prices start at Dh30. The match will also be televised on AD Sports TV, Dubai Sports TV and Sharjah Sports TV, as well as Fifa+.
