Consistency is the key for Dhafra

Al Dhafra emerged 4-0 winners over Al Dhaid in the President's Cup first round at the Al Nahyan Stadium last night.

ABU DHABI // The Al Dhafra coach Mohammed Kwid felt every game was about gaining experience. "We need to play more consistently to remain in the top tier and there is no better way than playing at the highest level," said the Syrian after his side beat second division Al Dhaid 4-0 in the President's Cup first round at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Friday. "It was a very good result in terms of the scoreline because some of the bigger teams had struggled in the first round, which usually is considered easy games for the more established clubs." Al Ain, the only unbeaten side, spanked Dibba Al Fujairah 8-0 but the rest of the big guns struggled while Al Shaab were sent packing by the second division side Al Ittihad Kalba. "It only goes on to prove the fickleness of some teams," added Kwid. "They come out with one big performance on a night like this and fail in the next. This is why I tell to my team to learn from every game." Dhafra is the newest club in the country, formed in the year 2000.They have a remarkable record of earning promotion twice, and are now trying to stay in the Pro League for another season. They struggled for 41 minutes before the captain Mohammed Salem scored off a cross from Iran international Rasoul Khatibi to go into the break with a 1-0 lead. Salem later rounded off with his second goal of the match three minutes from time after Hussain Suhail had struck twice in-between. Ajman, who gained promotion along with Dhafra, were the other team to suffer at the first hurdle. They were beaten 3-2 by Fujairah, who took the lead from a ninth minute goal from Yousef Khalfan before Obaid Rashid and a spot kick from Mohammed Abdulla secured them victory. Al Khaleej edged out Al Rams 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the scores were deadlocked 2-2 after extra time. Emirates overcame Al Orouba 3-1 and Baniyas beat Masafi 4-0.