Shabab Al Ahli subdue nine-man Baniyas in President’s Cup semi-final

Igor Jesus' header earns his team narrow 1-0 victory in Sharjah

Igor Jesus reacts after scoring the winner in Shabab Al Ahli’s 1-0 win over Baniyas in the President’s Cup semi-final at Sharjah stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2021. Courtesy UAE FA

Shabab Al Ahli edged out nine-man Baniyas 1-0 in the President’s Cup semi-final at the Sharjah stadium on Monday to move within one match of collecting their second silverware of the season.

Igor Jesus headed a free-kick from Federico Cartabia for a 73rd minute winner for the Arabian Gulf Super Cup champions to book their place in the final for the 12th time in the history of the competition.

Baniyas, though, ended the game two men down. Joao Wesner was sent off after a second bookable offence on 55 minutes and Khamis Saleh followed suit just before the finla whistle after picking up his second yellow.

Suhail Al Noubi found the net for Baniyas on 33 minutes but the goal ruled out for a foul after the VAR review in an evenly matched first half.

Shabab Al Ahli capitalised on their numerical advantage after the break to seal their place in the final. The other last-four clash, between Sharjah and Al Nasr, takes place later on Monday.

Meanwhile, Al Nasr got the better of Sharjah 2-0 in the late game at the Rashid stadium to join Shabab Al Ahli for a final showdown.

Sebastian Tagliabue put Toze clear with a neat flip for the Portuguese midfielder to tap the ball past the Sharjah goalkeeper Adil Al Hosani for a 33rd minute lead.

The Brazilian defender Glauber fired in a low cross from Ryan Mendes off a counter attack for Nasr to go into the break with a 2-0 platform. Tagliabue sealed the game with a right footer from outside the area two minutes from time.