The opening round of the “Professionals” Cup.. Technical level exceeded expectations and advanced physical performance

Six scenes stood out in the opening round of the preliminary round of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Football Cup (Professional League Cup) that took place over the past Saturday and Sunday. Although the matches represented the first appearance of the participating clubs in this tournament, the technical performance was above expectations, and the players appeared at an advanced physical level, which indicates the readiness of the teams to compete for the titles of the new season.

The round witnessed Bani Yas’ victory over Dibba Al-Hisn (4-2), Sharjah over Khorfakkan (1-0), Al Ain over Kalba (3-2), Al Jazira over Al Bataeh (3-1), and Shabab Al Ahli over Ajman (2-0), while Al Orouba and Al Nasr tied without goals.

Bertrand effect

The influence of Al Bataeh player, Anatole Bertrend, with “Al Raqi” has become clear despite the process of substitution and replacement that the team has witnessed, as he participated with his goal that he scored against Al Jazira, the day before yesterday, in four goals in the last six matches for his team in the Cup competition and the League Championship (he scored 3 and made 1).

Fawaz returns after 11 years

Bani Yas captain Fawaz Awana has waited 11 years to score another goal in the Cup competition. The player scored in his team’s match against Dibba Al-Hisn the day before yesterday. His previous goal dates back to September 4, 2013, when he scored against Al Ain in the match that ended with his team’s victory (3-1). It is worth noting that Awana has played a total of 57 matches with his team in the competition, and has four goals.

Azmoun presents his credentials

Iranian international Sardar Azmoun, a player for Shabab Al Ahli, presented his credentials by leading the “Dubai Knights” to a 2-0 victory over Ajman, scoring them in just five minutes. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the best player of the match award, and became the third Iranian player to score for Shabab Al Ahli in the competition after Mehdi Qaedi and Milad Midavoudi.

Laba breaks 837-day fast

Al Ain striker, Togolese international Laba Kodjo, ended 837 days of fasting from scoring in the competition, with the goal he scored against Kalba the day before yesterday, as his last goal dates back to the final match of the competition in the 2021-2022 edition, against Shabab Al Ahli.

Kalba weapon

Kalba team scored about half of its goals against Al Ain team from outside the penalty area (3 goals out of 7), which is the weapon that has remained effective in every match between the “Tigers” and the “Boss”, the last of which was the wonderful goal scored by Caio Germano the day before yesterday in the 80th minute after he turned around and shot a powerful ball from near the penalty area arc, the visitors’ goalkeeper was content to watch it go into the net.

13 players

The number of Iranian players who scored for their clubs in the Cup competition rose to 13 players, the last of whom was Kalba player Shahriar Moghanloo, who scored from the penalty spot, noting that the latter had the opportunity to shoot after his compatriot Mehdi Qaedi gave up taking it.