Author: Altayeb Ali

Al Dhafra Visit Ajman in Key ADNOC Pro League Clash

Al Dhafra’s first football team will travel to face Ajman at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium on Monday at 5:05 PM, in the final round of the first phase of the ADNOC Pro League.

The match carries significant importance for both sides as they aim to secure their positions in the middle of the league table and break the deadlock between them in the standings. Al Dhafra approach the fixture determined to consolidate their place in mid-table as the opening half of the season comes to a close.

Al Dhafra currently sit eighth with 15 points, while Ajman are tenth with 13 points, giving the contest the profile of a crucial “six-point match” with direct implications for league positioning.

Head coach Željko Petrović and his technical staff have focused their preparations on correcting the issues from the previous match against Al Ain, reinforcing positive elements, and addressing the attacking absences of Moroccan forward Karim El Berkaoui and Icelandic striker Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson.

Supporters of the “Al Dhafra Knight” are expected to travel and fill the stands, hoping for a positive result against a determined Ajman side on their home ground.

Petrović Calls for Maximum Focus Ahead of Ajman Clash

Montenegrin coach Željko Petrović, head coach of Al Dhafra Club, has stressed the importance of maintaining the highest levels of concentration in the upcoming clash against Ajman, scheduled for Monday, as part of Round 13 of the ADNOC Pro League.

Petrović made the remarks during the pre-match press conference held on Saturday evening at the media hall of Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in Madinat Zayed, in the presence of Al Dhafra player Marcelinho.

The Al Dhafra coach praised Ajman, noting that the team possesses quality players, particularly in the attacking line, which is characterized by speed and strong creative ability. He urged his players to maintain full focus and discipline throughout the match.

Petrović explained that he is approaching the match without pressure, commending his own team while emphasizing the importance of staying mentally engaged in the game—especially during the first 30 minutes—and avoiding minor mistakes that could prove costly.

He also reaffirmed his full respect for Ajman, stating that Al Dhafra’s objective is to secure victory while continuing to deliver attractive football that reflects the team’s growing development.

Meanwhile, Brazilian forward Marcelinho highlighted the importance of the match in Al Dhafra’s league campaign, anticipating a difficult encounter, particularly as the fixture will be played away from home. He expressed his hope that Al Dhafra supporters will attend the match to provide support and encouragement in what he described as an important fixture for the team.

Al Dhafra suffered a 2–1 home defeat to Al Ain on Thursday evening at Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in Madinat Zayed, in the closing match of Round 12 of the ADNOC Pro League.

Al Dhafra took the lead in the 16th minute through Souza, who converted a penalty after Mohammed Al Khlawi was fouled in the box. The hosts held their advantage into half-time following a disciplined defensive display.

Al Ain equalized in the 60th minute and continued to apply pressure before scoring the winning goal in the 81st minute. Despite late substitutions and efforts from Al Dhafra, the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

The result leaves Al Dhafra eighth with 15 points, while Al Ain move top of the table on 30 points.

Al Dhafra’s first football team will look to strengthen their position in the middle of the ADNOC Pro League standings and return to positive results at home when they host Al Ain at 7:45 PM this Thursday, in a Round 12 fixture of the competition.

The match, to be played at Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in Madinat Zayed, sees Al Dhafra enter the contest with high morale following an exciting 3–2 victory over Khorfakkan in the previous round. The team is aiming to build on that win and secure a positive result against the league leaders.

Al Dhafra players are fully aware of the scale of the challenge, facing an Al Ain side that remains unbeaten this season and boasts the strongest attacking line in the ADNOC Pro League, underlining the difficulty of the task ahead.

Head coach Željko Petrović and his technical staff have focused this week on restoring the squad’s physical readiness and preparing the appropriate tactical plan for the encounter. The Montenegrin coach has emphasized reliance on the most physically prepared players, particularly in light of several key absences in the squad, highlighting the importance and intensity of the match.

Al Dhafra go into the fixture in eighth place with 15 points, while Al Ain top the table with 27 points as Round 12 gets underway.

Best of luck to Al Dhafra’s players in delivering a strong performance and achieving a positive result.

Al Dhafra claimed a dramatic and well-deserved 3–2 victory over hosts Khorfakkan in the match played on Friday evening at Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Stadium in Khorfakkan City, as part of Round 11 of the ADNOC Pro League.

Al Dhafra started the match strongly, imposing their style from the opening minutes in search of an early goal. Their organized wing attacks paid off in the 19th minute, when Khalil Ibrahim delivered a cross that was mistakenly deflected into the net by a Khorfakkan defender for an own goal.

After taking the lead, Al Dhafra dropped slightly to protect their advantage, allowing Khorfakkan to increase pressure and create several dangerous chances. However, Al Dhafra’s defense and goalkeeper stood firm before the hosts equalized in the 27th minute, sending the match into halftime level at 1–1.

At the start of the second half, Al Dhafra were forced into an early substitution due to injury, with Al-Sousi replaced by Rangel. Just one minute later, Al Dhafra struck again to score their second goal, giving the team a significant psychological boost that was reflected in their composed and organized performance.

Despite persistent attempts by Khorfakkan to get back into the game, Al Dhafra maintained their structure and discipline. Head coach made a second substitution in the 74th minute, introducing Rayan Yasslam in place of Khalil Ibrahim. Rayan made an immediate impact, scoring Al Dhafra’s third goal in the 80th minute with a spectacular overhead kick that electrified the stadium atmosphere.

Khorfakkan pulled one back in the 86th minute from a penalty kick, but the remaining minutes saw no further change in the scoreline, as the referee signaled the end of the match with Al Dhafra sealing a 3–2 victory.

With this win, Al Dhafra raised their tally to 15 points, moving up to seventh place, while Khorfakkan remain on 11 points in tenth position, pending the completion of Round 11 fixtures.

Congratulations to Al Dhafra, and best wishes for continued success in the upcoming rounds.

Al Dhafra’s first football team will travel to face Khorfakkan on Friday evening as part of Round 11 of the ADNOC Pro League.

The match will be played at Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Stadium in Khorfakkan City on the eastern coast, with kick-off scheduled for 4:55 PM. Al Dhafra enter the fixture with high ambitions to halt their run of negative results in their last three matches and return to the path of victories.

Al Dhafra are hoping to overcome the difficult circumstances they have recently faced due to key absences caused by suspensions and injuries, as they seek to restore positive momentum despite the challenge of facing a strong opponent who benefits from home advantage and fan support.

Following their most recent match against Bani Yas, the team completed only two training sessions, during which head coach Željko Petrović and his technical staff focused on correcting defensive errors and improving attacking efficiency, with the aim of delivering a stronger performance and maintaining the team’s position in the league standings.

Al Dhafra go into the match in eighth place with 12 points, while Khorfakkan sit tenth with 11 points.

Best of luck to Al Dhafra’s players in producing a strong performance and securing a positive result.

Montenegrin coach Željko Petrović, head coach of Al Dhafra Club, stated that his team did not expect the defeat they suffered in their most recent match against Bani Yas, which was played at the latter’s home ground, stressing that the result did not reflect the level of preparation that preceded the fixture.

Petrović made the remarks during the pre-match press conference for Al Dhafra’s upcoming clash against Khorfakkan, held on Wednesday at the media hall of Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in Madinat Zayed, in the presence of defender Mohsen Al Rabja.

The Al Dhafra coach explained that the loss had a relative impact on the team’s position in the league table compared to their previous standing, despite full technical and physical readiness. However, he emphasized the need for the team to show strong character and be at peak readiness in the upcoming match, as they were at the start of the league campaign.

Petrović noted that he has a strong group of players capable of securing a positive result, but acknowledged the absence of several key players, most notably striker Karim El Berkaoui, describing his absence as a major loss. He explained that during the first 30 minutes of the Bani Yas match, Al Dhafra created several chances and delivered dangerous crosses, but lacked the decisive finishing touch inside the penalty area due to El Berkaoui’s absence.

The coach also praised young forward Abdulrahman Al Sousi, describing him as a talented player who delivered a good performance and showed great effort. However, Petrović stressed that Al Sousi is still at an early stage of his career and needs more time to gain experience, as well as the benefit of playing alongside an experienced striker like El Berkaoui.

Petrović also confirmed the return of Mohsen Al Rabja to the squad, expressing his satisfaction with the current group of players and stressing that the team will continue its journey with the same spirit and determination.

Al Rabja: We Need the Support of Al Dhafra Fans

For his part, Mohsen Al Rabja, who returns after suspension, said that Al Dhafra is a strong team with experienced players capable of correcting the team’s course and getting back on track, despite the difficulty of the upcoming match against Khorfakkan.

He called on Al Dhafra supporters to stand behind the team and support them in this match and the upcoming fixtures, stressing that fan support provides a major motivational boost for the players on the pitch.