Al Ain Loses to Al Dhafra by 0-3
Al Ain suffered an unexpected and shocking loss to Al Dhafra by 0-3 at Hamdan bin Zayed Stadium in matchweek 15 of the Arabian Gulf League on Friday 15th February 2019.
The home team was able to finish the first half taking the lead by 1-0 scored by Khaled Bawazir at the 2nd minute of the match. In the second half, Al Dhafra’s player Romulo Santos boosted the result at the 85th minute to be 2-0. In the minute 92 of the added time, Abdul Rahman Yousef was able to score his team’s third goal.
By this result, Al Ain remains second with 32 points. Meanwhile, Al Dhafra moved to the ninth spot with 17 points.
The home team succeeded to surprise the Al Ain squad by a shocking goal at the second minute of the first half through Khalid Bawazir. Bawazir, finished Diego Rigonato’s left-footed cross into the back of Khalid Bilal’s net with a flying header.
Al Ain tried to level up and return to the match through launching attacks from the depth and flanks but in no vain as Al Dhafra adopted their own style of compact defense and leaving no spaces for the frontline and at the same time launching quick counterattacks when they posses the ball. They succeeded in both approaches.
Swede’s Marcus Berg was about to score the equalizing goal taking advantage of an organized attack of quick and well played passes until he received the ball in the box to turn around swiftly and sent a powerful shot passed the bar by a whisker.
Khaled Eisa succeeded to palm off a strong shot sent by Diego Rigonato from a direct kick at the edge of the box “19” saving his net from a dangerous ball. Khaled Eisa then saved his net from a counter attack led by Romulo Santos who had enough space to find himself face to face with the goalkeeper. However, Khaled was able to put it off to be a corner kick “21”.
The Boss went on to respond through Caio Fernandes in the 24th minute, however, the Brazilian’s long-range powerful freekick strike bounced off the crossbar after a clever touch by Khaled Al Senaani to be a corner kick.
Al Ain did not stop trying to level up the result prior the end of the first half, but it was clear that all the attempts lacked enough luck and concentration. Shiotani send a vigorous shot following receiving a deft cross, but it went over the crossbar “25”. The first half ended by Al Dhafra taking the lead by 1-0.
Following changing the sides, Al Ain stood tall to equalize with aim to turn the table on the home team. Rayan sent a deceptive shot but Al Dhafra’s goalkeeper reacted impressively and maintained his net clean “48”.
Al Ain kept pressing forward and nearly scored the equalizing goal in the 65th minute, but Ruben Ribeiro’s right-footed half volley was saved acrobatically by Al Senaani. Ruben Ribeiro tried again to score, but his ball went over the crossbar.
Romulo dos Santos was once again at heart of attack for the hosts, as he extended the lead in the 85th minute. Rigonato released the Brazilian, whose right-footed shot nestled into the back of Eisa’s net. In the dying moments of the game, Rigonato registered his third assist of the night when he squared the ball to Abdulrahman Khamis, who was left with a simple tap in from a close range, making it 3-0.
Al Ain: 0
Goals: 0
Starting Line-up: Khaled Issa, Tsukasa Shiotani, Mohannad Al Enezi, Mohammed Fayez, Ismail Ahmed, Yahiya Nader, Amer Abdul Rahman, Rubin Ribeiro, Caio Lucas, Mohammed Abdul Rahman, Marcus Berg.
Substitutions: Rayan Yaslam replaced Yahiya Nader “15”- Jamal Marouf replaced Mohannad Salem Al Enezi “55”- Ibrahim Diaky replaced Ruben Ribeiro “71”.
Yellow Cards: Jamal Marouf “66”- Caio Lucas “90”.
Red Cards: None.
Al Dhafra: 3
Goals: Khalid Bawazir “2” – Romulo dos Santos “85” – Abdul Rahman Youssef “90 + 2”.
Starting Line-up: Khalid Al Senaani, Abdul Rahman Yousef, Khalid Butti, Romulo de Santos, Nicola Melissa, Diego Rigonato, Ibrahim Al Yaqoubi, Khalid Abdul Rahim Bawazir, Khalid Ali Al Darmaki, Abdullah Ismail Al Rifai, Sultan Al-Suwaidi.
Substitutions: Suhail Al Mansouri replaced Khalid Bawazir “65”.
Yellow Cards: Khaled Al Zaabi “68” – Sultan Al Suwaidi “90”.
Red Cards: None.
Referees
The match was managed by Hamad Ali Yousif “Match Referee”, assisted by Zayed Daoud “First Assistant”, Mohammed Ghlaita Al Shehhi “Second Assistant”, Ahmad Saleh Ali “Fourth Official”, Sultan Saho “Referees Assessor” and Yasir Bumajid “Match Commissioner”.
422 Fans
422 fans attended the match held at Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
