Al Wasl secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Bani Yas on December 22, 2024, effectively setting the stage for their advancement to the semi-finals of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ABIC) Cup. The first leg of the quarter-final at Zabeel Stadium showcased Al Wasl's prowess as they dominated much of the match.
Adama Diakite opened the scoring for Al Wasl with his goal in the 36th minute after capitalizing on a rebound, establishing the momentum for the home team. Shortly after halftime, Jonatas Santos extended their lead by netting the second goal just four minutes after the restart, benefiting from an exquisite assist by his teammate Nikoletos Chimenes.
The third goal came from Seong-Hyun Jong, who found the net with a powerful header following a beautifully executed corner kick taken by Ali Saleh. This goal, scored in the 63rd minute, emphasized Al Wasl's control over the match and their tactical superiority.
Bani Yas managed to pull one back late in stoppage time through Lazar Markovic, who scored their only goal of the evening in the 92nd minute. Despite this late attempt to close the gap, the result leaves Bani Yas with much work to do as they head to the second leg of the quarter-finals.
With their victory, Al Wasl has one foot firmly planted in the next round, as they prepare to face Bani Yas again on December 30, 2024, for the decisive second leg at the home ground of Bani Yas.
This match not only underscored Al Wasl's attacking capabilities but also reflected their determination to secure their place among the tournament's top teams. The defeat, on the other hand, highlights the challenges Bani Yas faces as they look to overcome this deficit and advance past the quarter-finals. Their upcoming match promises to be challenging, as they must rally and aggressively pursue goals to overturn the deficit.
Overall, the performance delivered by Al Wasl sets high expectations for their continuation in the tournament, as they aim to capture the much-coveted ABIC Cup trophy, possibly for the first time. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Bani Yas adjusts and responds on their own turf as they prepare to host Al Wasl once more.
