Al-Wasl host Al-Jazira as mouthwatering ADIB Cup semifinals kick off

New signing Nebil Fekir will be hoping to lead Al-Jazira to the final of the ADIB Cup. (X/AlJaziraFC_EN)
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Updated 17 March 2025
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Al-Wasl host Al-Jazira as mouthwatering ADIB Cup semifinals kick off

  • On Tuesday Sharjah take on runaway top-flight leaders Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club, with the second legs on March 22 and 23

DUBAI: A quartet of UAE heavyweights are set to lock horns during the international break as the ADIB Cup’s mouth-watering semifinals kick off on Monday night.

Ex-France star Nabil Fekir’s Al-Jazira travel to troubled reigning ADNOC Pro League and President’s Cup holders Al-Wasl in tonight’s opening first leg.

And a re-run of this month’s AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals begins on Tuesday when Sharjah — who prevailed on penalties at continental level — host runaway top-flight leaders Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club.

The finalists will be decided in the second legs on March 22 and 23.

Monday’s meeting at Zabeel Stadium pits an in-form Jazira against opponents reeling from a continental elimination which has compounded their underwhelming 2024-2025 season.

Al-Wasl ended a 17-year domestic trophy drought in style last term. But they currently sit 20 points off the leading pace in sixth.

And they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Qatar Stars League holders Al-Sadd during the AFC CL Elite’s round of 16.

An opportunity to salvage something from this season will be sorely tested by a Jazira that have prevailed in four of their last five fixtures, across all competitions.

In the other tie, a remarkable run of fixtures continues with the third and fourth meetings of five-successive clashes between Sharjah and Shabab Al-Ahli.

Narrow continental progress for the former has tantalizingly set the scene for the ADIB Cup’s last four, with March 28’s league restart to follow.

With both clubs competing vigorously across multiple fronts, intense competition awaits at Sharjah Stadium on Tuesday in the absence of many international representatives.


Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como

Updated 16 January 2026
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Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como

  • Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points

COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie ​A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck ‌in stoppage ‌time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted ‌from ⁠the ​penalty spot ‌after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside ⁠the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes ‌from time when Rabiot caught the Como ‍defense off guard with a ‍low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This ‍was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with ​a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am ⁠very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. ‌We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”