United FC’s President’s Cup Journey Ends with 1-0 Loss to Al Dhafra FC
United FC’s campaign in the President’s Cup 2024/2025 came to a heartbreaking end following a 1-0 defeat to Al Dhafra FC on the 27th of September at Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium. Despite a determined performance, United FC couldn’t overcome a solitary first-half goal, sealing their exit from the prestigious competition.
The match also saw the debut of our new left-back, Haza Shehab, who displayed composure and determination throughout, offering a glimpse of his potential as one the key players for the rest of the season.
The game kicked off with both teams fighting for control, and United FC found themselves on the defensive early on. Al Dhafra applied intense pressure, making it difficult for United to settle into their usual rhythm. Although United’s defense stood strong for much of the half, Al Dhafra found a breakthrough in the 38th minute. A well-placed shot from their forward slipped past our defense and into the net, leaving United FC trailing by one goal.
The goal shifted the momentum further in Al Dhafra’s favor, and despite some flashes of offensive play from United, the first half ended with our team behind.
United FC emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, determined to turn the game around. The second half saw much more urgency from our side as the players pressed high, constantly looking for openings in Al Dhafra’s defense. Despite the pressure, United struggled to find clear scoring opportunities against a resolute Al Dhafra defense.
Midfielders Baidy Diakite and Manea Alruwais tried to dictate the pace, while Chelo Torres worked tirelessly to break down the opposition’s defense. Our team came close to an equalizer on a few occasions, but Al Dhafra’s goalkeeper made some crucial saves to keep them in the lead.
As the minutes ticked by, United FC piled on the pressure, but luck wasn’t on their side. Each chance created was either blocked or saved, and the team couldn’t manage to level the score. Despite their valiant efforts, the match ended 1-0, marking a tough exit for United FC from the President’s Cup.
On a positive note, Haza Shehab, United FC’s new left-back, made his first appearance for the club in this match. Despite the challenging circumstances, Shehab showed great promise, making crucial tackles and contributing both defensively and offensively. His performance offers hope for the rest of the season, and fans are eager to see more from the talented defender.
With the President’s Cup journey over, United FC will now shift their focus back to the First Division League. There’s still much to play for, and the team is more determined than ever to make a strong impact in the league.
We invite all United FC fans to rally behind the team for the upcoming match against Gulf FC on the 6th of October at ISD Stadium Pitch. This game will be crucial in building momentum as we aim to bounce back from the cup loss.
Join us at ISD Stadium Pitch on the 6th of October at 17:10 and let’s show our support as United FC continues its pursuit of success. Together, we will rise again!
We are United! We are Family! Let’s stay strong!
