Dibba hold Al Nasr as Ajman stun Bani Yas

Dibba salvaged a 1-1 draw against Al Nasr at Al Maktoum Stadium in matchweek five of the Adnoc Pro League on Friday, thanks to Mohanad Ali’s towering header five minutes from time.

The point marks Dibba’s first in the league, while Al Nasr remain in eighth place with eight points.

The first real chance of the game came after just nine minutes when Dibba striker Mohanad Ali picked up the ball in midfield, twisting and turning past defenders before unleashing a low strike that was brilliantly parried by Al Nasr goalkeeper Ahmed Shambih.

Al Nasr responded in the 26th minute when Costin Ionut Amzar broke down the left flank, leaving his marker trailing, and delivered a low cross to Ramon Mierez, whose effort was expertly saved by Dibba goalkeeper Eisa Houti.

Dibba threatened again through Kevin Agudelo, who drove forward from midfield, beating a defender before threading a pass to Ramon Mierez. The forward’s sensational finish was brilliantly denied by Houti, keeping the match level.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes before halftime as Glauber Siqueira Lima rose above Dibba’s defense to powerfully head in Kevin Andres Agudelo’s cross. Dibba almost responded immediately, with Mohanad Ali producing a clinical finish in injury time, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

The Iraqi striker remained a constant threat after the break, striking a curling free-kick that cannoned off the crossbar just two minutes in. Bernard Mensah also came close to doubling Al Nasr’s lead in the 80th minute, but his curling effort was superbly saved by Houti.

Dibba’s persistence paid off five minutes from time when Mohanad Ali climbed above the Al Nasr defense to plant a header from Abdullah Khamis Juma’s perfectly timed cross, exploiting the goalkeeper’s advanced position.

The draw ensures Dibba pick up their first point of the season, while Al Nasr remain in mid-table, reflecting the competitive nature of the encounter and the impact of Mohanad Ali’s late heroics.

In another match, Ajman snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over Bani Yas, thanks to Lithierry Silva’s coolly taken penalty deep into stoppage time.

In a match largely devoid of quality and clear-cut chances, it took until the final minute for the deadlock to be broken.

Both sides produced a cagey opening half, with the only notable effort arriving in the 26th minute when Youssoufou Niakate tested Ajman goalkeeper Ali Al Hosani, who gathered comfortably.

The second half offered little improvement, with neither team able to impose themselves in possession. Ajman showed glimpses of urgency, but lacked the cutting edge until late drama unfolded at the death.

Bani Yas were punished when Mackenzie Hunt was dismissed for handling the ball on the line, conceding a penalty in the process. Silva stepped up with composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to hand Ajman all three points. The evening went from bad to worse for Bani Yas, as Leonel Wamba received a red card in stoppage time, leaving the hosts to finish with nine men.

The victory lifts Ajman to seventh place on nine points, while Bani Yas remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point after five games.