Abu Dhabi, UAE – Hatta secured a valuable victory against hosts Bani Yas, defeating them 1-0. The match, which took place on Saturday evening at Bani Yas Stadium, was part of the fourth round of the ADNOC Pro League.
As the match seemed destined for a goalless draw, Hatta snatched a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Ayman Rashouq scored the decisive goal, securing the team’s first three points of the season.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with Hatta enjoying a slight advantage in possession. However, neither team managed to find the net.
The most dangerous early chance fell to Mackenzie Hunt, who took a free kick from just outside the Bani Yas penalty area in the tenth minute. The ball then deflected off the home side’s defense and went out for a corner.
Before the end of the first half, Bani Yas thought they had taken the lead after Youssoufou Nketiah scored. However, the referee disallowed the goal after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). This was due to a foul on Hatta goalkeeper Marzouq Al Badawi, and the first half ended goalless.
In terms of statistics, Hatta had 58.6% possession compared to Bani Yas’s 41.4%. The home side also had more shots on goal, with five attempts compared to Hatta’s two.
As the second half began, Bani Yas looked more dangerous and continued to pressure Hatta’s defense. Mackenzie Hunt was their most dangerous player.
Youssef Nketiah almost converted his team’s dominance into a goal in the 85th minute when he shot from inside the penalty area. However, his attempt lacked power, and the ball was easily collected by the Hatta goalkeeper.
Just when a draw seemed the likely outcome, Hatta capitalized on a counter-attack in the dying moments. Ayman Rashouq finished it off with a 96th-minute winner, securing a valuable victory for his team in the fourth round.
Hatta moved up to 10th place with 3 points, while Bani Yas remained in 13th place, second to last, with no points.
