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Decisive matches in the President’s Cup quarterfinals stage

 

Five teams from the Etisalat Pro-League (Al Jazira, Al Wahda, Al Ahli, Al Wasl and Al Shabab) and three others from the First Division (A and B) (Emirates, Al Dhaid and Masafi) are set to battle it out on Thursday and Friday this week to determine the qualifiers to the semifinals of the President's Cup Competition. Two games will be played each night on a knock out basis.

Al Wahda and Masafi will play the first game of this stage when they meet at Al Wasl Stadium in Dubai on Thursday, February 24, kick off at 5:30pm. Masafi, the only team representing the First Division "B", qualified to the quarterfinals phase after both the Discipline and Appellate Committees rejected the appeals submitted by Al Ain Club after the UAE Football Association disqualified Al Ain for fielding an ineligible player, Juma'a Saeed, in their match against Masafi. According to the rules and regulations of this Championship, Juma'a Saeed from the Ivory Coast was not allowed to play with the senior team in the President's Cup as he is registered with the Challenge League squad.

Al Wahda, who were defeated 5-3 in their match played against Kalba in Round 13 of the Etisalat Pro-League, are looking to compensate for this shock loss by beating Masafi and move forward in the President's Cup competition.

Al Ahli will face Al Wasl in the second encounter of the day at Al Shabab Stadium at 8:30pm. It is their second match-up in a week time. Al Wasl beat Al Ahli 2-0 in Round 13 of the Etisalat Pro-League so Al Ahli will be out to avenge their defeat whereas their opponents will be trying to prove their superiority over their competitors. Al Wasl will miss the efforts of three key players, Darweesh Ahmad, Ali Mahmoud and Rashid Essa, due to suspension. Al Ahli will play without their two strikers, Ismail Al Hammadi and Faisal Khalil, for the same reason.

The matches of this stage will be concluded on Saturday when Al Jazira face defending champions Emirates at Rashid Bin Maktoum Stadium in Al Ahli Club at 5:30pm, and Al Dhaid will take on Al Shabab at Sharjah Stadium at 8:30pm. Al Jazira will also miss the efforts of their defender Juma'a Abdullah after collecting three yellow cards as well as their injured midfielder Abdul Salam Juma'a.