Al Dhafra safe despite loss against Bani Yas

Bani Yas’ Angel Dealbert (left) and Al Dhafra’s Makhete Diop go for an aerial ball at the Bani Yas Stadium in Abu Dhabi. — KT photo by Nezar Balout

Bani Yas — Bani Yas registered their second victory on the bounce after three draws previously but it was Al Dhafra who returned home smiling despite the loss.

The Sky Blues were solitary goal winners through a Denis Stracqualursi strike over Al Dhafra in the Arabian Gulf League at the Bani Yas Stadium in Al Shamkha, late on Sunday night.

Al Dhafra were consigned to a third loss on the trot and their ninth in total, but Ajman’s 3-3 draw to Al Wasl meant that The Western Knights can enjoy another season of top flight football. With Ittihad Kalba already relegated, it was a toss-up between Al Dhafra and Ajman on who will join Kalba.

Al Dhafra were slightly better off with 23 points and Ajman, with 14 points, needed a win to keep the relegation battle alive. But with Ajman returning with only a point from the Zabeel Stadium, Al Dhafra’s loss to Bani Yas didn’t matter as The Western Knights managed to stay safe.

With two rounds left to play, Ajman, who are on 15 points now cannot catch Al Dhafra, who have a eight-point gap. Al Dhafrah have four wins, 11 draws and nine defeats.

Meanwhile, for Bani Yas, it was a case of all eights. It was their eighth win and took them to eighth in the table over Al Fujairah, who went down to Al Shabab at home. Bani Yas have eight draws and eight losses.

It was a goalless first half despite both teams creating a flurry of opportunities. Bani Yas were keen on improving their position on the table, while it was now or never for relegation-threatened Al Dhafra.

The second half too went along the same lines before the Sky Blues broke the deadlock just past the hour. Argentine striker, the 27-year-old Denis Stracqualursi, managed to breach the stoic Al Dhafra defence, for a fine finish.

Bani Yas are away on Al Ain on May 1, while Al Dhafra host Al Sharjah on the same day. Bani Yas are on the road to Al Ahli for their last fixture of the League on May 10, while Al Dhafra too are away to Al Shabab.

james@khaleejtimes.com