INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA: Ahmad Mousa Al Essawi struck in the seventh minute to send ten-man UAE crashing to a shock 1-0 defeat in their last men’s football Group G match at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games at the Goyang Stadium here on Thursday.
The UAE, who went a man down when Waleed Anbar Al Mazroui was given a second yellow card at the end of the first half, were unable to find a way back into the game.
That meant the 2010 silver medallists finished the group stage on three points thanks to their opening 5-0 win over India, which should be enough to see them through to the round of 16 as two of the three teams qualify. The Group G matches conclude when India and Jordan face off on Monday.
The Emiratis showed little of the brilliance they showed against India as Jordan took control and at times even managed to dominate their more established opponents.
Expectations have been high among UAE fans after the team led by Mahdi Ali advanced to the final in Guangzhou four years ago, only going down by a solitary goal against Japan. On their way, the UAE had got the better of more established teams such as Kuwait and North and South Korea.
However, nothing seemed to work for coach Ali Ebrahim’s boys after Al Essawi had found the space to beat Ahmad Shambieh in the UAE goal.
The UAE tried their best to claw their way back, but the Jordanians resolutely stuck to their task of defending their narrow lead.
Luck also seemed to come to their rescue as UAE striker Al Mazroui received a second booking just before half-time. Ebrahim was forced to alter his game plan, bringing in Mohammad Al Khoury in search of an equaliser.
But Jordan packed their defence line and barely allowed the UAE to have the upper hand to ensure they walked away with all three points.
The defeat, besides the lost pride, may do very little to stop the UAE from advancing to the knockout stages.
Jordan will have to play against India in their final Group G match on September 22, and barring a lopsided result, the UAE should be safely through to the Round of 16 due to their superior goal difference.
Elsewhere, North Korea beat Pakistan 2-0 to record a second straight win that ensures one of the top two places from Group F.
Goals either side of half-time by So Kyong-jin and Jong Ing-wan secured victory against a Pakistan side reduced to 10 men at half-time. So also scored in North Korea’s 3-0 win over China on Monday.
Indonesia beat Maldives 4-0 and progressed to the second round after also beating East Timor 7-0 in Group E on Sunday. Hong Kong beat Afghanistan 2-1 in Group B, while Kyrgyzstan drew 1-1 with Iran in Group H.
