Two early goals from Australia destroyed the UAE’s dreams of making the Asian Cup final as they went down 2-0 in the semi-final at the Newcastle Stadium.
It was a sad end for the UAE, who were overwhelmed by the tournament hosts in an opening 14 minutes in which they conceded a two-goal lead which they would ultimately not be able to recover.
Defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson got the goals for the Socceroos who flew out of the traps, eager to claim their place in the final against South Korea on home soil.
But if nerves had hamstrung Mahdi Ali’s team in the opening stages, they deserve immense credit for fighting back bravely, controlling much of the second half in possession, as they desperately tried to prolong their Asian Cup campaign.
In the end, it was the early goals which would settle the contest, as the Emiratis struggled to find chances, even while taking the game to Australia.
The first goal arrived after just three minutes, as the UAE defence concentrated solely on permanent aerial threat Tim Cahill at a corner, allowing defender Sainsbury to drift into space and plant an unchallenged header beyond Majed Naser.
Ali’s side hit back quickly though, with Khamis Esmael breaking down the right wing and feeding Ahmed Khalil, whose first time shot hit the outside of the post.
But it was a brief respite, as Australia showed the pace and strength that has been a mark of their play throughout the tournament - Abdulaziz Sanqoor having perhaps the toughest job up against winger Matthew Leckie.
And it was no surprise when the Socceroos doubled their lead. A break down the right fell to Cahill, whose shot was brilliantly blocked by Mohanad Al Enezi only for Davidson to sweep home at the far post as the Emirati defenders lay prone.
Coach Ali would have been forgiven for worrying that his side were going to be overwhelmed by the competition hosts, as they struggled to deal with the speed and movement of their attacking play.
Even so, Australia rarely turned their threat into real opportunities, and a few half-chances from Ahmed Khalil, as well as a typically inspired run by Omar Abdul Rahman, suggested the UAE could sense a way back into the game.
That momentum built still further after the break, as the Emiratis desperately sought a way back in the game, and showed the kind of footballing quality that has seen them do so well in this tournament.
Omar Abdul Rahman was able to force more influence going forward, while Khalil and Ali Mabkhout showed their pace with a number of direct runs at the Australian defence.
And the game could have taken a different course had a 25-yard strike from Khalil on 51 minutes found the net rather than flash inches wide of Matt Ryan’s left hand post, as the UAE got closer.
But they were consistently frustrated by the stubborn Socceroos backline, who soaked up countless balls into the box from wide areas, while Abbas and Esmaeel had penalty shouts correctly waved away.
And as the game became stretched, the Socceroos inevitably found space on the counter attack, Massimo Luongo drawing a save out of Naser on 71 minutes with a curling shot which would have found the far corner.
To the end the UAE showed the patient build-up play which has characterised their tournament. But a late long-range shot which went high and wide from the otherwise superb Esmael summed up the difficulty they found in creating clear-cut chances throughout.
And in the final stages it became obvious that the dream had faded for the UAE, as they bowed out at the hands of the hosts after a magnificent campaign in which they achieved coach Ali’s long-held aim of making the semi-finals and won plenty of admirers along the way.
Even now, a third-placed play-off against Iraq on Friday still gives the UAE a chance to finish this Asian Cup on a real high.
Nick Banks is a freelancer based in Australia
