News Center

Al Dhafra relegate to First Division; Al Jazira continue their unbeaten march

 

Al Dhafra were relegated to first division after being beaten 6-4 by hosts Dubai n the Etisalat Pro-League Round 19 match played this evening at Dubai Stadium. The two competing teams worked hard from the word go looking for a win to better their positions in the league standings. Both teams were in desperate need to add three points to their tally, and for making their dreams to come true, they demonstrated an attacking football. The two teams played a balanced game marred by hard work and a number of scoring opportunities. The visiting team made some dangerous attempts through Boris Kabi, Abbas Moya and Mohammad Salim, but due to the inconcentration they squandered all the chances that came their way in the opening minutes. But they kept on their hard fought and their continuous work was soon rewarded when their player Khairy Khalfan gave them the lead only 15 minutes into the game of a long ball sent into the six yard area and Dubai's goalkeeper Jamal Abdullah and defenders failed to clear it away for Khairy to slam it home. The hosts started pressing for the equalizer and it took them only 8 minutes before being rewarded a penalty when Waleed Khalid was brought down inside the box. Hassan Abdul Rahman's kick was rebounded off Al Dhafra's goalie Abdul Basit Mohammad for Hassan to drive home making it 1-1. Hassan Abdul Rahman came close to net the second goal but his fierce volley was controlled by Al Dhafra's keeper. Khairy Khalfan, the scorer of the first goal in the match, was shown the red card after fouling Waleed Khalid outside the box four minutes before the interval. Al Dhafra who played afterwards with ten players, took the lead again through Mohammad Salim who scored off a stand ball to give his team a 2-1 lead. But The visitors' joyful moments did not live long as Abu Bakr Kamara leveled the score a few seconds later to end the first half with a 2-2 draw.

It was only two minutes into the second half before Dubai added the third goal two minutes after the break via Ridha Abdul Hadi who gave the hosts the lead for the first time after coming twice from behind to level the score. Ridha added to the Al Dhafra's owes when he scored the 4th goal off a long-range severe volley in the 56th minute. Referee Ali Hamad rewarded the hosts a penalty in the 65th minute when Al Dhafra's player Adil Abdullah touched the ball with his hand inside the box for Hassan Mohammad to convert the ball into the net making it 5-2 and putting the result beyond the reach of the visiting team.

Al Dhafra were to net the third goal but Kabi's placing ball rebounded off the upright in the 78th minute. But Kabi came four minutes later to reduce the deficit scoring the third goal for the losers. Ismail Ahmad netted the 6th goal for the winners one minute to time and Ali Al Hamadi made it 6-4 in the 93rd minute.

In the other match played at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Etisalat Pro-League champions Al Jazira continued their unbeaten march after crushing the visiting squad Kalba with a 5-2 win. The winners raised their tally to 49 points while the losers' remain second from bottom with 17 points. Delgado ( 5th and 28th minutes) , Juma'a Abdullah (19th minute), Bare ( 20th minute)  and Oliveira (32nd minute) scored for the winners Al Jazira while Elias Kano (24th minute)  and Simon ( 41st ) scored for Kalba.