Abu Dhabi: A penalty conversion by Ali Mabkhout in the first half proved enough to see Al Jazira past Al Dhafra and into the quarter-finals of the President’s Cup at the Bani Yas Stadium on Sunday.
Al Dafra had their fair share of chances but their forwards did everything but score. Abdullah Al Naqbi bungled an easy chance to put Al Dafra in the lead after he was set well inside the box with a witty flick by Makhete Diop in the 37th minute. Al Naqbi, had an open goal in front, but he shot over from close range.
Then in the 41st minute, Al Dhafra handed Al Jazira a needless penalty after Adil Hermach jumped on Al Jazira’s Kenwyne Jones, who was reaching for a long ball inside the box.
The referee had no hesitation in pointing it out to the spot and Mabkhout completed the formalities with a well-directed grounder.
After the change of ends, Al Dafra could have drawn level in the 57th minute, had it not been for a goal-line save from Yaqoub Al Hosani as a Omar Khrbin shot was heading to a goal after it slipped through the hands of Al Jazira custodian Ali Khaseif. Even Abdul Rahman Yousuf had two clear cut chances in front of the goalmouth but he somehow failed to make that count.
Bani Yas win
On Saturday, a 10-man Bani Yas defeated 9-man Al Shabab with a 2-1 win in extra-time at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
The contest was full of drama as it saw three red cards, a penalty, a late equaliser and a later winner. With this win, the Bani Yas have booked a place in the quarter-finals.
In another outing, Sharjah pulled off a 5-4 victory over defending champions Al Nasr.
