Al Wahda can cherish the season’s first silverware.

A third Year of Zayed Arabian Gulf Super Cup – much delayed and rearranged – fell into their hands. An awful pass from Al Jazira left-back Salim Rashid led to Moroccan forward Mourad Batna’s early opener, UAE goalkeeper Ali Khaseif’s sloppy clearance and subsequent felling of veteran Ismail Matar allowing Hungary star Balazs Dzsudzsak to riotously lash home a penalty just before the hour mark.

On balance, the President’s Cup holders just about deserved to see off their Arabian Gulf League-winning nemesis from Abu Dhabi. This success inside a boisterous Bani Yas Stadium – electrified by more than 8,000 vocal fans – did not come from a contest of great entertainment.

It was a tense one in which their opponents could not repair self-inflicted wounds. A story supposedly consigned to a previous era for Henk ten Cate’s men.

Their descent from going toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in last month’s Club World Cup continues. That’s only two wins in seven subsequent matches.

In contrast, something special is building for the Clarets. They will hope this success energises a charge for further domestic glory – only two points separates them from top-flight leaders Al Ain.

After all the pageantry of the pre-match ceremony, Jazira came close to the perfect start. UAE prospect Mohamed Al Shamsi was alert to palm away a stinging drive from Brazilian forward Romarinho before 30 seconds had ticked by.

Laurentiu Reghecampf’s Wahda machine did not panic, in a clash traditionally held at season’s start.

The Romanian’s high press gained reward when Rashid passed into danger from the edge of his own box on 21 minutes. Tagliabue smelled a chance and cannoned a shot onto the base of the post with Khaseif beaten, Batna racing in to slot home a sixth goal in 19 appearances since his profitable summer switch from FUS Rabat.

The flow of this gripping match did not alter, midfield battles being won and lost with frequency.

It was left to Jazira to blink again after the interval. Khaseif chipped up a poor kick, inflicting more damage by chopping down Matar – whose shot hit the post.

Referee Sultan Abdurazzaq went back for the penalty. Dzsudzsak subsequently converted it and slid in celebration towards the ecstatic Clarets faithful.

Jazira could not be roused from this second, mortal blow. The capital is Wahda’s, for now.