Al Jazira advanced to the quarter-finals of the UAE President’s Cup following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Ajman at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.
The team, known as the “Pride of Abu Dhabi,” struggled to break down a disciplined Ajman defense for most of the match. We believe in our ability and team spirit. Our goal is to qualify for the next round.”. We want to play with courage and show our character on the pitch. We have every chance of making it to the next round.”.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when Bono de Oliveira initiated a precise one-two passing sequence with Vinicius Melo before finding the back of the net.
In the other round-of-16 clash, Al Wasl secured their quarter-final spot by defeating Ittihad Kalba 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 after regulation and extra time. Al Wasl initially led 1-0 following a spectacular individual effort by Nicolas Jimenez in the sixth minute of stoppage time, during which he navigated past two defenders to score. The match, played on Thursday, ended 2-2 after both regulation and extra time. Forcing the match into a penalty shootout to determine who would advance, he scored the equalizer in the 111th minute with a header. Their morale is high and they will look to carry the winning momentum into the tourney.
Ittihad Kalba responded in the 52nd minute when Carlos Filho equalized after latching onto a long ball from Saman Qaddous.
The visitors then seized the lead in the 101st minute as Marwan Al Watani capitalized on a defensive error.
Al Wasl ultimately forced the shootout when defender Sofiane Bouftini headed in a crucial equalizer in the 111th minute.
Goalkeeper Dinko Horkas proved decisive in the shootout, saving two penalties to secure his team’s progression. Preventing a repeat of last season’s early exit from the tournament, his heroics propelled the “Emperor” to the quarterfinals.
Upcoming President’s Cup Fixtures
- Fujairah vs. Al Wahda: Scheduled for 4:55pm kickoff.
- Al Nasr vs. Bani Yas: Scheduled for 8pm kickoff.
Ahead of Friday’s matches, Al Wahda enter the contest following a 3-2 victory over Khorfakkan. Manager Preicles Chamusca emphasized the need for discipline against a tough Fujairah side, while player Abdullah Hamad Al Menhali stressed the importance of focus from the start. The action continues on Friday with two important fixtures slated for the day. We need to be fully prepared and focus right from the beginning to the end.
Coach and Player Perspectives
- Fujairah Coach Bulazo Bulatovic: Expressed deep respect for Al Wahda, noting, “Playing at home gives us extra boost and we hope our fans will turn out in huge number to support us.”
- Fujairah Player Sander Bin Beshir: Characterized the match as a major opportunity, noting that playing at home provides an added advantage.
- Al Nasr Coach Milos Milojevic: Highlighted the prestige of the tournament, stating that tactical focus and high motivation are essential for a positive result.
- Bani Yas Coach Hassan Al Abdouli: Stated that the team carries high ambitions and believes victory will come through collective hard work rather than individual names.
