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Al Jazira, Al Wahda, Al Ain and Al Ahli qualify
Al Jazira eliminated Al Nasr from the President's Cup Competition after defeating them 2-1 in the match played last night at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Al Jazira were the better side in the first half, creating lots of opportunities but only managed one goal scored by Ibrahima Diaky 12 minutes into the game. Al Nasr recovered in the second half and Ismail Bangoura leveled the score from a penalty when Al Jazira's defender Juma'a Abdullah brought Abdullah Ahmed down inside the box. The two teams continued to battle it out for a second goal, but it was Al Jazira who succeeded in netting the winner one minute into injury time when Al Nasr's defender Saeed Mubarak touched the ball with his hand inside the box for a penalty. Ibrahima Diaky made no mistake when he sent the ball into the right hand side to secure a berth for his side in the quarterfinals of the President's Cup. Al Jazira will face the winner from the game between Emirates and Al Orooba which is due to be played today at Sharjah's ground.
Al Wahda also proceeded to the quarterfinals after an easy 5-1 victory over Ajman at Al Wasl's home ground. Brazilian player Fernando Bayno slammed an amazing four goals in the 7th, 9th, 20th and 32nd finishing the first half with a 4-1 lead for his team. His colleague Mohammed Al Shihy added the 5th goal in the 79th minute. Ajman's Mohammed Abdul Gadir netted a consolation goal in the 27th minute.
In the other match of the evening, Al Ain had no difficulty in overcoming Masafi with a 3-0 win to continue their march to the next phase. Ali Al Wihabi put the winners into the lead with an early goal in the 15th minute and Juma'a Saeed from Ivory Coast made it 2-0 with a perfect header in the 31st minute. Hadaf Al Amry netted the third goal for the winners with a rocket-like volley ten minutes before the final whistle to end the match with a 3-0 result for his side. Al Ain will meet their traditional rivals Al Wahda in the quarterfinals scheduled for March 5.
In the 4th game of the day, a late goal scored by Brazilian player Binga in the 93rd minute against Al Dhafra at Khalifa Stadium off a penalty, helped Al Ahli join the top eight teams of the President's Cup to move to the next stage. Faisal Khalil,Al Ahli's striker, was given marching orders in the last minutes after collecting two yellow cards. Al Ahli will face the winners of today's match between the Armed Forces and Al Wasl due at Khalifa Stadium in Al Ain.