Al-Dhafra Coach Petrovitch: Red Card Impacted Loss Against Sharjah

Al Dhafra coach Željko Petrović blamed his team's 2-0 loss to Sharjah on Abdullah Al Karbi's red card in the 32nd minute, saying both of Sharjah's goals came after the dismissal during Friday's sixth round match in the UAE Pro League.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Montenegrin coach praised his players for their effort despite playing most of the game with 10 men against one of the league's top teams. "We didn't create many big chances, but we played good football, especially before the red card when the team was complete," Petrović said.

The coach expressed surprise at Al Karbi's tackle, which happened far from goal. He revealed he had spent the entire previous week warning his players about making such challenges. Al Karbi, who Petrović described as one of the best fullbacks in the league, was a key part of their attacking setup.

The timing of the goals made things worse for Al Dhafra. Sharjah scored their first from a free kick, then added a second just a minute later. "It was difficult to play the second half without conceding more goals against a complete team like Sharjah with our numerical disadvantage, but we managed to do it," Petrović noted.

The coach rejected the idea that defensive football alone can keep teams in the Pro League. He emphasized his focus on developing attacking play to secure respectable results, pointing to their nine points from five previous matches as proof of this approach working.

For Al Dhafra, this loss represents a setback in their campaign to establish themselves in the UAE's top flight. The red card disrupted their game plan and highlighted the fine margins teams face when trying to compete against stronger opponents while maintaining an attacking philosophy.