Late Collapse Sends Al Dhafra Out of President’s Cup After 3–2 Defeat to Khorfakkan

Al Dhafra’s President’s Cup campaign came to an end following a dramatic 3–2 defeat to Khorfakkan in their Round of 16 clash at Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Stadium on Saturday evening.

Al Dhafra looked firmly in control after taking a 2–0 lead into half-time. Moroccan forward Mohamed El Khalaoui opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box, before Dominic Mendy doubled the advantage with a superb direct free-kick in the 44th minute.

However, Khorfakkan staged a remarkable late comeback. Tarek Tissoudali reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, before substitute Ahmed Al Hammadi equalised just two minutes later with a long-range effort.

Deep into stoppage time, Tissoudali converted a penalty in the 90+6th minute, awarded following a VAR review, to complete his brace and secure a dramatic victory for Khorfakkan.

Following the match, Al Dhafra expressed its dissatisfaction with the penalty decision, confirming that the club had submitted an official protest to the UAE Football Association over the refereeing decision that led to the decisive goal and their elimination from the competition.