Al Dhafra edge past Dibba as Shabab Al Ahli down Bani Yas to stay unbeaten

Al Dhafra secured their second consecutive win in the Adnoc Pro League after defeating Dibba 2-1 on Friday at the Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium in Matchweek 3.

Mohammed Elkhaloui opened the scoring for Al Dhafra in the sixth minute with a precise strike from outside the penalty area.

Dibba equalised in the 27th minute when Mohanad Ali produced a fine finish after controlling a well-placed pass from Abdullah Khamis.

The match remained level until the 74th minute, when Karim El Berkaoui restored Al Dhafra’s lead with a powerful header, giving his side their first headed goal of the season.

The win lifts Al Dhafra to six points and into fourth place, while Dibba remain without a point in the relegation zone.

Shabab Al Ahli win : Shabab Al Ahli overcame Bani Yas 1-0 on Thursday at Rashid Stadium in the opening game of Matchweek 3.

Munas Dabbur scored the decisive goal in the first half to give the defending champions a valuable victory.

The win lifted Shabab Al Ahli to seven points, while Bani Yas remain without a point after three games.

The hosts began the match with attacking intent, pushing forward with numbers and pressing Bani Yas in their own half.

Shabab Al Ahli continued to press and found the breakthrough in the 35th minute when Dabbur headed home from a Federico Cartabia corner.

In the second half, the champions created several chances to extend their lead but were wasteful in front of goal.

The match turned further in their favour in the 67th minute when Mahamadou Camara of Bani Yas was shown a red card after a VAR review for a foul on Cartabia.

Shabab Al Ahli held firm until the final whistle to claim a narrow but deserved win and continue their steady start to the season.

Khorfakkan, Sharjah share spoils : Khorfakkan and Sharjah played out a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Saqr Bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium.

Sharjah thought they had taken the lead inside six minutes, but their goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Khorfakkan responded by growing into the game and were rewarded in the 39th minute when Tarik Tissoudali converted from the penalty spot to put the hosts in front.

Early in the second half, Khorfakkan doubled their advantage as Aylton Filipe pounced on a defensive error to make it 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

Sharjah pulled one back seven minutes later when Marcus Vinicius scored from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit.

They came close to an equaliser shortly after, only for the post to deny them in the 62nd minute.

The game appeared to be slipping away from Sharjah, but in the ninth minute of stoppage time, they were awarded another penalty.

Rey Manaj stepped up and calmly converted to complete the comeback and secure a share of the points.

The draw leaves Sharjah on four points in fifth place, level with Khorfakkan, who sit sixth on goal difference, after a night of high drama and missed opportunities.

Kalba, Al Wahda play draw: Kalba and Al Wahda played out a goalless draw. The first half offered little in terms of attacking threat, with both sides struggling to find any cutting edge in the final third.

Al Wahda thought they had a chance to break the deadlock shortly after the restart, but the Video Assistant Referee overturned a penalty decision six minutes into the second half. Ruben Filipe came closest for the visitors in the 71st minute, striking the bar with a powerful low drive from inside the area. Kalba responded with their first real chance of the game six minutes later, as Leandro Spadacio latched onto a clever through ball and tested Zayed Al Hamadi, who was quick off his line to deny the midfielder with a sharp save.

Both goalkeepers proved decisive, producing a series of key interventions to ensure the match ended without goals.

The result leaves Al Wahda sitting third in the standings with five points, while Kalba occupy fifth place on four points.