The second round of Group A of the 13th edition of the 'Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Football Cup 2026' saw dramatic changes that reshuffled the standings. Competition for the top spot intensified, while the reigning champion, the Judicial Department team, was officially eliminated from the race for qualification, marking one of the biggest surprises of the preliminary rounds. In the first match, the Audit and Corporate Development Office team asserted complete dominance over the Abu Dhabi Golf City Club, securing a 3-0 victory. The goals were scored by Diakite Nyomory, Malini, and Abdelkarim Bla Bla. With this win, the Audit Office increased its points total to four, topping the group on goal difference while maintaining a clean sheet in both matches. The Abu Dhabi Golf City Club, meanwhile, remained on three points. In the second match, the Engineering and Technical Projects sector pulled off a stunning comeback against the Judicial Department team, turning a one-goal deficit into a valuable 2-1 victory. Sebastian Lucas Tejally opened the scoring for the Judicial Department from a penalty (after a VAR review), but the Projects sector quickly equalized before the end of the first half. Then, Hassan Mohammad Shahin sealed the win for his team in the second half. This victory brought the Projects sector's total to four points, sharing the lead with the Audit Office. The Judicial Department team (the reigning champions) remained on zero points after two consecutive defeats, officially exiting the tournament. The tournament is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Presidential Court, and is organized by the Presidential Court's Sports Committee in cooperation with the Football Association and the Professional League.
