Al-Wasl secured a crucial victory over Al-Wahda with a score of 2-1 in the match held at Zabeel Stadium as part of the 1st leg of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup semi-final. Al-Wasl started the game with a yellow storm of attacks, and Al-Wahda struggled to withstand. In the 3rd minute, a splendid cross from the outstanding Nicolas Gimenez was skillfully converted by the Moroccan Sufiane Bouftini with a precise header into the visitors' net, marking the Emperor's 1st goal.
Al-Wasl besieged Al-Wahda in the midfield, creating several scoring opportunities. In the 28th minute, the match referee awarded a penalty to Al-Wasl after an Al-Wahda defender fouled Perez. The magician Fabio de Lima stepped up to take the penalty, scoring the Emperor's 2nd goal in the 30th minute.
Al-Wasl’s pressure continued, seeking a 3rd goal to conclude the 1st half, but fortune stopped them in several attempts, notably Siaka Sidibé's one-on-one chance that went unutilized.
The 2nd half saw Al-Wasl stepping back to preserve the positive result, while the guests intensified their attacks to stage a comeback. In the 66th minute, Al-Wahda narrowed the gap through Ahmed Nour Allah, converting a penalty awarded by the referee against Salem Al Azizi.
The play was then confined to the midfield until the end of the match, concluding with Al-Wasl winning 2-1 as a result of goals from Sufiane Bouftini and Fabio de Lima.