Players of Al Dhafra and Ajman in action during their Arabian Gulf League match at the Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium on Friday.

Mohamed Saif’s late goal was the difference as Al Dhafra defeated Ajman 1-0 at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium in matchweek 4 of the Arabian Gulf League.

Ajman started on the front foot when Vander Vieira sent a cross from the corner kick towards Mohamed Sabeel, however, the defender’s header went just wide off target in the third minute.

Al Dhafra responded in the 12th minute through Mikhail Rosheuvel who went up the right flank and found Joao Pedro inside the box, but the Brazilian’s headed effort narrowly missed Ali Mohamed’s goal.

The hosts suffered a blow in the in the 25th minute, when Pedro was sent to an early shower after his careless challenge against Tongo Doumbia.

A preliminary medical test carried out at Al Dhafra Hospital proved that player Tongo Doumbia of Ajman suffered a broken leg after being subjected to a violent tackle by striker João Pedro Pereira dos Santos of Al Dhafra in the fourth round of the Arab Gulf League.

The Oranges tried to capitalise on the numerical advantage and one minute before the halftime whistle Vieira dribbled past Al Dhafra’s defence, but his strike from the edge of the box was denied brilliantly by Khaled Al Senaani.

Ajman continued to dominate in the second half, but failed to create any real threats on Al Dhafra’s goal and were unable to break through Al Dhafra’s backline.

Just four minutes before the final whistle, Diego Jardel sent the ball to Suhail Al Mansoori whose shot was blocked by Mohamed. The rebound fell to Saif, who was left with a simple tap in from close range.

After the win, Al Dhafra moved to third place and Ajman dropped to the fourth, both tied on seven points. Al Dhafra will face Al Wasl next week. Meanwhile, Ajman will host Al Wahda in their next encounters.