Al Ain: Substitute Sultan Bargash scored twice in extra time to help defending champions Al Jazira reach the final of the President's Cup after a 4-1 win over Sharjah last night.
The two teams were locked 1-1 after full time of the semi-final, but Bargash brought about Sharjah's downfall by striking twice in extra time — while Ricardo Oliviera made it 4-1 minutes before the end.
Ali Mafqooth, who himself replaced Delgado in the 75th minute, was put through by Bargash in the 101st minute but had his effort saved by Hassan Sharif. He picked up the rebound and passed to the advancing Bargash who made it 2-1.
UAE Olympic star Mafqooth was back in action soon afterwards, this time running down the flank and squaring for Bargash who slammed home his second and sealed Al Jazira's final berth.
The extra-time surge was complete when Oliviera placed a superb shot inside the far corner.
Earlier during normal time, Al Jazira dominated most of the first half but Sharif in the Sharjah goal was outstanding as he came up with a series of good saves. Luck was also not on Al Jazira's side.
A powerful free kick in the ninth minute by Subait Khater hit the left post and rebounded into play while Bare's goal was disallowed in the 32nd minute as he was judged to have fouled a Sharjah defender just before his strike.
Sharif brought off fine saves from efforts by Bare, Juma Abdullah and Oliviera in the first half.
Into the lead
Al Jazira however went ahead in the 48th minute when Abdullah Mousa's header of a Delgado corner went in off a rival defender's head.
But Sharjah's Edinho, who constantly harassed the Al Jazira defence, equalised with a brilliant solo effort in the 55th minute.
The Brazilian weaved his way past three defenders and finished off with a crisp drive to level the scores.
Sharjah show some improvement after that goal but it was once again Sharif who came up with more saves in the second half, before Al Jazira won it in extra time.
