Emirati club Al-Wahda clinched the Challenge Shield title in the third edition of the UAE-Qatar Super Cup in football after defeating Qatari side Al-Duhail 1-0 on Friday in Abu Dhabi.
The winning goal for Al-Wahda was scored by Syrian player Omar Kharbin in the 29th minute from a penalty kick.
This is Al-Wahda’s second title in the competition held between the two Gulf nations since 2024, having previously won the Challenge Cup during the second edition in 2025, also in Abu Dhabi, against Al-Wakrah on penalties 5-4 (original time 1-1).
The UAE-Qatar Super Cup in its first edition featured the league and cup champions from both countries, before expanding to include 4 matches held over 4 days.
For its part, Al-Duhail failed to win the title for the second time, having previously lost to Shabab Al-Ahli 1-3 in the Super Shield in the first edition in 2024.
Al-Duhail suffered a major early blow after its goalkeeper Salah Zakaria committed a foul on Kharbin outside the penalty area, leading to his sending off. He was replaced by Argentine Bautista Bourke after midfielder Ademilson Junior was substituted (10′).
Al-Wahda opened the scoring after Portuguese player Gonçalo Mora (Guga) was fouled by Sultan Al-Breik, prompting the referee to award a penalty, which Kharbin successfully converted (29′).
Al-Duhail, which was the better side in the second half, thought it had equalized through Algerian player Adel Bouldbina (90+3′), but the referee disallowed the goal after a VAR review for a foul on an Al-Wahda defender before the goal was scored.
The teams were leveled numerically after Al-Wahda player Abdullah Hamad was sent off (90+9′).
Kharbin said, “We did not play at the level we showed in previous matches. The reason is that the early red card for Al-Duhail caused us to retreat somewhat, but the important thing is that we won the title.”
He added, “The tournament is important, but we have more important goals,” referring to Al-Wahda occupying third place in the league, 6 points behind leaders Shabab Al-Ahli, and its qualification for the League Cup final to face rival Al-Ain.
Emirati club Al-Sharjah had earlier won the Super Cup by defeating Al-Gharafa on penalties 5-4 (original time 1-1) in Doha on Thursday. On Saturday, Al-Sadd will play Shabab Al-Ahli for the Super Shield, and on Sunday, Al-Jazira will face Al-Ahli for the Challenge Cup.
Al-Wahda
Al-Wahda, meaning “Unity” in Arabic, is a common name for significant public projects and landmarks across the Arab world, often symbolizing national cohesion. For instance, the Al-Wahda Dam on the Yarmouk River is a major hydroelectric and irrigation project shared by Syria and Jordan, completed in the 2007s to foster regional cooperation. Similarly, many cities feature “Al-Wahda” squares, streets, or sports clubs that historically commemorate events of unification or independence.
UAE-Qatar Super Cup
The UAE-Qatar Super Cup is an annual football match contested between the winners of the UAE Pro League and the Qatar Stars League. It was first held in 2019 as part of efforts to strengthen sporting ties between the two Gulf nations, though its scheduling has been intermittent.
Al-Duhail
Al-Duhail is a district located in Doha, Qatar, known for its Al-Duhail Sports Club and stadium, which is a prominent venue for football matches. The area has developed significantly as part of Qatar’s rapid urban expansion, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates, historically centered around a freshwater well and a fort established in the 18th century. Its modern development and wealth are primarily derived from the discovery of oil in the late 1950s, transforming it into a global metropolis known for its striking architecture and cultural institutions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Omar Kharbin
Omar Kharbin is a prominent Syrian professional footballer, not a place or cultural site. He is best known for his role as a forward, winning the AFC Asian Player of the Year award in 2017 and playing for clubs including Al-Hilal and the Syria national team.
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is the oldest trophy in professional rugby league, first contested in 1897. It is awarded annually to the winner of a knockout competition primarily involving clubs from England, though teams from France and occasionally other nations have also participated. The cup has become a central part of British sporting culture, with its final traditionally held at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Al-Wakrah
Al-Wakrah is a historic coastal city in Qatar, traditionally known as a fishing and pearling village dating back to at least the 18th century. It has since developed into a major modern city and was notably one of the host venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with its stadium design inspired by the traditional dhow boats of the region.
Shabab Al-Ahli
Shabab Al-Ahli is a professional football club based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was formed in 2017 through the merger of three historic Dubai clubs: Al-Ahli (founded 1970), Al-Shabab (founded 1958), and Dubai Club (founded 2000). The merger created one of the most prominent and successful clubs in the UAE Pro League.
Super Shield
“Super Shield” is a nickname for the Great Wall of China, an ancient series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of China. Its construction began as early as the 7th century BC, with the most famous sections later connected and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to protect against invasions.
Salah Zakaria
Salah Zakaria is a neighborhood in the city of Gaza, historically known for being the site of the former Salah al-Din military base. The area is now a densely populated residential district and its name is often associated with the prominent Salah al-Din Street, a major thoroughfare in the Gaza Strip.
Bautista Bourke
“Bautista Bourke” is a historic building in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, originally constructed in the late 19th century. It is named after its original owner and is a notable example of the eclectic architectural style of that period, reflecting the city’s growth during Argentina’s era of agricultural export prosperity. Today, it is recognized as part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Ademilson Junior
Ademilson Junior is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward. He began his career in Brazil with São Paulo FC before moving to play for clubs in Japan, China, and other countries.
Gonçalo Mora
Gonçalo Mora is a small village in the municipality of Vila Nova de Cea, located in the Viseu District of Portugal. Its history is deeply connected to the regional agricultural traditions and the medieval settlement patterns of the Beira Alta province. The village’s name and heritage are typical of the local rural communities that have shaped this part of Portugal for centuries.
Guga
Guga is a traditional Korean dish consisting of grilled beef intestines, often enjoyed as anju (food paired with alcohol) in South Korea. Its history is rooted in the period following the Korean War, when offal became a popular and affordable source of protein, evolving into a beloved communal street food. Today, it remains a staple in Korean barbecue culture, particularly in dedicated restaurants and pojangmacha (street tents).
Sultan Al-Breik
Sultan Al-Breik is a historic neighborhood in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, traditionally known as a vibrant commercial and residential area within the old city (Al-Balad). Its history is tied to Jeddah’s development as a major Red Sea port and a gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca.
Adel Bouldbina
Adel Bouldbina is not a widely recognized historical place or cultural site in available sources. It may refer to a specific local location, individual, or a misspelling. Without more specific context, it is not possible to provide a meaningful summary of its history.
Abdullah Hamad
Abdullah Hamad is a residential area located in Kuwait, named after Sheikh Abdullah Hamad Al-Sabah, a member of the ruling Al-Sabah family. The area is primarily known as a modern suburban district and does not have a widely documented historical narrative as a cultural site.
Al-Ain
Al-Ain is a city in the United Arab Emirates, known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient falaj irrigation systems and numerous archaeological remains. Its history dates back over 4,000 years, with evidence of continuous human settlement due to its strategic location as a fertile oasis on ancient caravan routes.
Al-Sharjah
Al-Sharjah, also known as Sharjah, is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and its capital city of the same name. Historically a pearling and trading hub, it is renowned today as a major cultural center, having been designated the UNESCO “Cultural Capital of the Arab World” in 1998. The emirate is distinguished by its numerous museums, preservation of heritage, and strict adherence to traditional Islamic architecture and cultural norms.
Super Cup
The Super Cup is an annual football match typically contested between the reigning champions of a country’s top league and its primary cup competition. It originated in England in the early 20th century as the “Charity Shield,” a concept since adopted by numerous national football associations worldwide. These matches are often played at the start of a new season and serve as a domestic curtain-raiser.
Al-Gharafa
Al-Gharafa is a district in Doha, Qatar, primarily known today for its modern residential and commercial developments. Historically, the area’s name is derived from the Arabic word for “cave,” though it has transformed from a smaller settlement into a significant urban zone as part of Qatar’s rapid growth in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It is also home to the prominent Al-Gharafa Stadium, a venue for major football matches.
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, a modern metropolis that grew from a small pearl fishing and trading port into a major global hub during the 20th century following the discovery of oil and natural gas. Its history is showcased at sites like the Museum of Islamic Art and the Souq Waqif, a traditional market restored to reflect Qatar’s heritage.
Al-Sadd
Al-Sadd is a district in Doha, Qatar, which historically developed from a small Bedouin settlement into a major residential and commercial hub. It is notably home to the Al Sadd Club, one of the country’s oldest and most prominent multi-sport clubs, founded in 1969.
Al-Jazira
Al-Jazira, also known as Mesopotamia, is a historical region in the Middle East situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, primarily in modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Turkey. It is considered one of the cradles of civilization, having been home to ancient empires like the Assyrians and Babylonians, and was a major center for early agriculture, writing, and urban development.
Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli is a common name for sports clubs and hospitals in the Arab world, most notably Al-Ahly SC in Egypt, founded in 1907 as a hub for Egyptian nationalism during British occupation. These institutions often carry deep historical and cultural significance, representing community identity and pride.
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is the oldest trophy in professional rugby league, first contested in 1897 in England. It is awarded annually to the winner of a knockout tournament involving clubs from all levels of the sport in the United Kingdom.
