The summit of April 10, 2026, is destined to be etched into the history of the ADNOC Professional League, marking one of the most epic sagas witnessed in our league over the past two decades. The clash between Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli was, quite literally, the 'match of matches.' The events and footballing spectacle witnessed over 100 minutes deserve to be preserved in memory and serve as a benchmark for evaluating our league. Al Ain took a giant step towards securing its 15th title in history with a crazy 3-2 victory over Shabab Al Ahli. 'The Leader' succeeded in widening the gap with its red rival to 4 points, with 4 rounds remaining in the season. The scene at the end of the summit was telling, with Al Ain players forming a circle in the middle of the pitch and repeating their famous celebration, as if sending a signal that clinching the title is just a matter of time. The purple team now needs 8 points from the remaining 12 to clinch the title and bring the Shield back to the den of Zain, regardless of the calculations that the current champion, Shabab Al Ahli, will make in the upcoming rounds. Gains and Numbers Al Ain emerged with historical gains and numbers, becoming the team with the best unbeaten record list by reaching match 29, making it the first team in the Professional League to achieve this feat, breaking the tie with Al Jazira, which held the record of 28 unbeaten matches. 'The Leader' also managed to reach the first 22 rounds of a single season without a loss, a first for the club. Technically, the match scenario was 'crazy' in every detail, with caution dominating the proceedings and the fear of conceding the first goal, despite attempts by both teams to create little threat to the goalkeepers. Shabab Al Ahli had a slight advantage, but Al Ain created more dangerous chances. The first goal's scenario opened the door to a magnificent second half. To complete the scene, Shabab Al Ahli didn't wait long, and just 47 seconds into the second half, Yuri César scored to equalize. However, the tie lasted only 10 minutes until 'gravity-defying' Laba Kodjo scored to put 'The Leader' ahead again after another 10 minutes. Another 10 minutes was all it took for the red visitors to visit Khalid Eisa's goal again, with a direct free-kick executed brilliantly by Yuri César that deceived the defensive wall and the international goalkeeper. César became the second Shabab player to score a direct free-kick against Al Ain after Egyptian Hossny Abdel Rabea (2008), and the fifth Shabab player to score a brace against 'The Leader' after Abdel Rabea (2008), Barry (2009), Brazilian Grafite (2014), and Carlos Eduardo (2021). The Substitute Hero After César's goal, the match took a major turn, with the red visitors imposing superiority and control, and 'The Leader' struggling to build attacks or even exit their zone. But Khalid Eisa refused to be anything less than the key to any Al Ain title, proving, once again, that he is the secret word in any Al Ain title. He grew, shone, and dazzled with three consecutive saves, the first from Yuri César's direct free-kick that hit the defender and changed direction, but 'Jebel Hafit's' reaction was exceptional, turning it into a corner. Seconds later, he parried a deceptive header from Sardar and a cunning shot, earning applause and admiration from all the fans. And because the footballing madness is not complete without a killer goal, Al Ain exploited a quick counter-attack, with substitute superstar Hussein Rahimi converting it into the net after a touch from inside the box. The promising youngster ran happily, taking off his shirt, but the harvest was a yellow card, and a disallowed goal by VAR decision. The purple joy turned to red happiness, and it seemed as if the match would not be decided in favor of one side. But what was not expected was for the guests to repeat the defensive mistake, and for Hussein Rahimi himself to be the hero of the big scene. He received the ball from the left, played with the defending elements one by one, and reached the edge of the box to find himself facing the chance of a lifetime, striking a ball that nestled in the net of Hamad Al Makbali, erupting a scream of joy from the fans, whose stands shook as if an earthquake of joy of magnitude 7 Richter. Hussein Rahimi succeeded in being the first Moroccan player to score a goal in the big summit, achieving what his older brother Sofyan failed to do in 9 matches against the Knights. Third Defeat Shabab Al Ahli tasted its third defeat during the tenure of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa after 48 matches with the Knights, the second defeat away from home, after the first one it suffered against Al Wasl on May 3, 2025. Ivic: we haven't achieved anything yet Serbian Vladimir Ivic, head coach of Al Ain, believes that 'The Leader' is on the road to clinching the title, but so far has not achieved any cup or lifted any title. His words, celebrated by fans with a 'tifo' dedicated to him after renewing his contract for two more seasons, were a 'warning message' to the players that what has been achieved so far is considered positive, but not enough to guarantee winning titles, until overcoming the difficult stages to come. The Serbian coach considered that Al Ain fought for every game and every ball to come out victorious against Shabab Al Ahli. He added: 'I am happy with the spirit the team played with, we faced some difficult periods, and we were under pressure during some parts of the match, but we came out of it successfully.' He went on to say: 'We took a positive step, but there are still 4 essential and crucial steps to clinching the title, now we need to rest a little, and return to work with strength for the last four rounds to achieve the desired goal.' The Serbian coach chose the perfect timing to send his messages, saying: 'We won against Shabab Al Ahli home and away, and in both matches, some refereeing decisions occurred that I don't know how to justify, a clear goal for us was canceled in both matches, I don't want to get into the loop of talking about everything that happened before, we just want a fair referee.' Paulo Sousa: we will not surrender Portuguese Paulo Sousa, head coach of Shabab Al Ahli, believes the fight for the title is not over yet despite the defeat and being 4 points behind Al Ain. He said: 'There are still 12 points in the playground, and we must fight and try until the last breath, there are always opportunities that can change the scene, and change things, and all we have to do is overcome the defeat against Al Ain, and search for victories again.' The coach, who won last season's Shield with the Knights, directed congratulations to UAE football on the level and image presented by Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli, saying: 'It was a match worthy of the event, I congratulate the two clubs and the two teams on this match, and I congratulate the referee, and I congratulate the fans who gave the match a wonderful color.' About the match, he said: 'We lost by small details, we had great chances after the 2-2 draw, where Khalid Eisa shone and dazzled in dealing with chances that should not have been lost from our players, and then Al Ain scored a goal that was canceled for offside, and quickly scored another goal after mistakes committed by our players, and Al Ain benefited from them in the best way.' Paulo Sousa praised the capabilities of Al Ain and its technical features. He concluded: 'The league has not been decided mathematically, and Al Ain has the advantage, but we must continue to work, persevere, and develop.'
