Al-Ittifaq Dubai Beat Dabba Al-Fujairah 3-1 in UAE President Cup Clash

Al-Ittifaq Dubai advanced in the United Arab Emirates President Cup with a composed 3-1 away victory over Dabba Al-Fujairah on September 22, 2026. The match, played under the lights at Dabba Al-Fujairah’s home ground, saw the visitors take control after a tight opening phase and then manage the game expertly once they had built a two-goal cushion.

The scoreline flattered neither side. Dabba Al-Fujairah competed well in spells, especially before the break, but Al-Ittifaq Dubai’s sharper finishing and better use of wide areas proved decisive. The win sends Al-Ittifaq Dubai into the next round of the UAE President Cup, while Dabba Al-Fujairah are left to focus on their league campaign.

Match Overview

From the first whistle, Al-Ittifaq Dubai looked to press high and force mistakes in the Dabba Al-Fujairah defensive third. Their midfield trio rotated constantly, creating passing lanes that repeatedly opened up the home side’s back line. Dabba Al-Fujairah, urged on by their supporters, responded with quick counter-attacks, but they struggled to find the final ball in the opening 20 minutes.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Ahmed Khalifa latched onto a loose ball just inside the penalty area and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner. That goal settled Al-Ittifaq Dubai, and they began to dictate the tempo. Dabba Al-Fujairah nearly equalised before half-time through a header from a corner, but the effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

Key Moments

• 23’ – Goal, Al-Ittifaq Dubai: Ahmed Khalifa pounced on a defensive clearance and finished calmly from 12 yards.
• 41’ – Chance, Dabba Al-Fujairah: A powerful header from a corner beat the goalkeeper but not the woodwork.
• 58’ – Goal, Al-Ittifaq Dubai: Youssef Al-Hammadi doubled the lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box after a short corner routine.
• 77’ – Goal, Al-Ittifaq Dubai: Bruno Silva sealed the tie on the counter, racing clear and slotting past the advancing keeper.
• 84’ – Goal, Dabba Al-Fujairah: Salem Al-Mansoori gave the home fans something to cheer with a close-range consolation.

Tactical Story

Al-Ittifaq Dubai lined up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that became a 4-3-3 when they pressed. Their full-backs pushed high, pinning Dabba Al-Fujairah’s wide players deep and allowing the midfield to dominate central areas. The second goal was a perfect example: a short corner drew defenders out, and Al-Hammadi was given time to curl the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Dabba Al-Fujairah tried to respond by switching to a more direct approach, using long balls over the top for their strikers. It worked sporadically, but Al-Ittifaq Dubai’s centre-backs read the danger well and won most aerial duels. When Dabba did find space, their finishing lacked the composure shown by the visitors.

Standout Players

Ahmed Khalifa was a constant menace, not only for his goal but for his movement between the lines. Youssef Al-Hammadi controlled the midfield and delivered the game’s most technical moment with his curling finish. For Dabba Al-Fujairah, Salem Al-Mansoori deserve credit for never giving up, and his late goal was a fair reward for a lively substitute appearance.

What It Means

For Al-Ittifaq Dubai, the result is a confidence boost and a place in the next round of the UAE President Cup. Cup football is often about momentum, and they now have it. For Dabba Al-Fujairah, the defeat is a reminder of the fine margins in knockout competition. They will look to tighten up defensively and convert their chances more ruthlessly in their upcoming league fixtures.