Dubai: Goalkeeper Salem Abdullah brought off two fine saves to hand Al Shabab the Gulf Club Cup crown for the third time after a 4-3 win in the penalty shoot-out against Al Seeb of Oman on Wednesday.
Champions in 1992 and then again in 2011, Al Shabab and Al Seeb were tied 1-1 at the end of the regulation 90 minutes. As per regulations governing this competition the match went directly to penalties.
After a barren first half, the visitors took control and went ahead in the 83rd minute after Henrique Luvannor accepted a long through ball from skipper Carlos Villanueva and placed into the net.
But the home side secured an equaliser in the third minute of added time to send the match to penalties.
In the shoot-out, it was Al Shabab goalkeeper Abdullah who proved to be the hero as he saved the second and third penalty kicks to ensure the regional trophy remained in the UAE.
Al Shabab had knocked out defending champions Al Nasr while Al Seeb had seen off Qatari giants Al Rayyan in the second leg of the semi-finals last week.
This is the eighth time that a club from the UAE has won the Gulf Club Cup since the inception of the competition in 1982.
Al Shabab lead the way with three titles followed by one each for Al Nasr (2014), Bani Yas (2013), Al Wasl (2009), Al Jazira (2009) and Al Ain (2001).
The new champions are scheduled to land in Dubai early on Thursday and then immediately start preparing for the semi-final of the President’s Cup against Al Nasr, to be played on Saturday.