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Omar Abdul Rahman on his haunches at the final whistle. Image Credit: AFP

UAE 0 Australia 2

SUMMARY: You have to hand it to Australia. They came to do a job and did it perfectly against the UAE. Two early goals from Sainsbury and Davidson were of course crucial, but after that, try as they might the UAE could get nowhere near the Australian goal. The closest they came was Khalil hitting the post in the first half, and if a couple of other offside calls had gone their way, maybe they could have dragged themselves back into it. But it wasn't to be. The UAE will now play in the third place playoff on Friday against Iraq, while Australia meet South Korea in the final on Saturday.

Watch highlights here:

 

 

 

FULL TIME: Here's Nick Banks...

A sad end for the UAE as the tournament hosts see out the 2-0 win in Newcastle. It is a jubilant Australian crowd who get to see their team face South Korea in the final on Saturday in Sydney, while the UAE can still finish a magnificent campaign on a real high with a third-place play-off against Iraq on Friday.

90+3: IT'S ALL OVER. The UAE beaten 2-0 despite a valiant display in Newcastle.

90: Three added minutes. It's been a professional display from the Australians. The early goals came and after that they've sucked the life out of the UAE.

89: Chance for Mabkhout! But blocked by Sainsbury. Goes out for a corner, which comes to nothing.

88: No meaningful attacks to speak of. If anything the game appears to be winding down

85: It's becoming desperate measures for the UAE now. Australia have quite comfortably absorbed everything so far. Time for win or bust football...

84: Tomi Juric hits one for Australia, but drags it wide.

82: More from Nick Banks...

The UAE are still pressing, but the Australian defence has soaked up all the deep balls played into the box so far, while Walid Abbas and Khamis Esmaeel have rightly seen penalty claims turned down. The game is more stretched now and while the Socceroos are spending most of the time defending, they look dangerous on the break.

78: Australia coming back into it now, couple of chances including one for Leckie. UAE having possession but not any real threat at the moment.

71: More from Nick Banks, our man in Australia...

A really promising opening to the second half for the UAE who have dictated large parts of play since the break, with Al Hammadi, Khalil and Ali Mabkhout all going direct at the Socceroos defence. They need a goal soon though...

69: Two shouts for penalties in there. Abdul Aziz Sanquor brought down by Jeremy Davidson was the strongest, but you can see why they weren't given.

67: Technology meltdown there. apologies. We are back now. A few chances for the UAE in the last 12 minutes. No goals though, and that's what they need at the moment.

55: Shakil Riyad reckons Al Hammadi has made a difference. I agree...

 

54: Here's a look at that 48th minute chance. Definitely not offside...

 

52: Nick Banks is back. He's suggesting Al Hammadi can do some damage...

One change for the UAE, with Mohammad Abdul Rahman replaced by Esmail Al Hammadi, who showed the pace he has in reserve in the quarter-final win over Japan. Will he be able to cause Australia problems, as the Whites desperately search for a route back into the tie?

51: Amhad Khalil lets loose with a screamer from 30 metres which goes just wide. The UAE are doing their best here and getting a few chances...

49: Another bit of wit from Twitter...

 

48: Lovely ball from Omar, finds Mabkhout, who is flagged offside... and the replay shows he's on! The UAE need some luck here, and that's not it.

47: A bit more analysis from Twitter:

 

46: We are playing again, Australia on the ball. Early goal please UAE!

HALF TIME: Players are back. Second half will start imminently... Mohammad Abdul Rahman goes off, replace by Esmail Al Hammadi for the UAE.

HALF TIME: Here's some more analysis from Nick Banks in Australia.

Half time, and it's a disappointing scoreline for the UAE as they went 2-0 down to the Socceroos inside just 14 minutes. They have dug in since then against a pacey and strong Australian team, with some flashes of threat going forward, particularly through Ahmad Khalil. But Mahdi Ali will know he needs to send his side out with all guns blazing in the second half if they are to salvage anything of this semi-final.

45+1: The whistle goes for half time. Some bright moments from the UAE but the two early goals were a real body blow. Mahdi Ali needs to find a way to get back into this game in the second half. If the UAE can score next we are in for a thrilling next 45, but they must make sure they do not let Australia in again. That would be a killer blow. Join us again in 20 minutes...

45: One minute of added time. Here's Khalil's face meeting the ball, otherwise known as a 'header'...

44: More pressure form the Aussies. Yellow card for Matthew Leckie after a tangle with Salem Saleh in midfield

42: Here's Jason Davidson after putting the Aussies 2 up in the 14th minute...

38: This handy heat map shows where the UAE are attacking...

 

36: Gulf News' Nick Banks feels the UAE are finding it tough to deal with the Aussie attackers...

The UAE are struggling to deal with the pace of the Australian attacks, with Abdulaziz Sanqoor in particular time having a difficult time up against Matthew Leckie. They are trying to slow play up through the Adbul Rahman brothers in midfield, Omar and Mohammad, but the Socceroos are looking strong.

34: A bit of space for Khalil down the right, but he fails to get the cross in. Chance wasted.

32: Here's a rare moment of brilliance from Omar, but just offside...

 

32: You have to say Omar Abdul Rahman has been quiet so far, We know he can change a game in an instant, but he really needs to start influencing the game more.

30: Ahmad Khalil's header goes over, but reason to be hopeful for the UAE there.

29: Corner UAE. They are desperate for a goal here...

25: A quiet spell given the game so far but you have to say Australia look the most likely. Another chance for Massimo Luongo goes over.

22: Here's Nick's view of the second Australia goal:

A real blow for the UAE after a spell of possession, as the Socceroos make it 2-0 through Jason Davidson. It was unfortunate for the Emiratis, with Mohanad Al Enezi producing a heroic block to deny Cahill, before it fell to Davidson at the far post who stroked home with the defenders prone.

20: Here's Trent Sainsbury opening the scoring for Australia. The UAE markers focusing on Tim Cahill, according to Nick Banks in Newcastle...

18: UAE have to score the next goal now. A third and Australia will be well and truly out of sight, you would think.

16: Two attacks and two goals for the Aussies. Believe it or not, the UAE have looked good in between. Clincial stuff from the hosts.

14: And just as I say that, GOAL AUSTRALIA! UAE fail to clear from a bit of a goalmouth scramble. Jason Davidson comes in the far post and slams it home. Long way back for the UAE now.

13: Here's a picture of that Khalil chance. If it wasn't for the goal, you would say the UAE have had the best of the game so far...

10: Ahmad Khalil has just gone close for the UAE. They certainly aren't overawed by the Australia start

8: A bit more from Nick in Australia...

UAE are already one down after only three minutes, as defender Trent Sainsbury drifts into the box at a corner and plants an unchallenged header into the past Majed Naser. It was poor defending from the UAE who were all concentrating on marking Tim Cahill.

6: The challenge for the UAE is to remain composed after the crackerjack start from Australia. They need to get the ball and work their way into this

3: GOAL Australia! Trent Sainsbury header at the back post from a corner. Worst possible start for the UAE.

1 minute: We are off! Looking for a strong start from the UAE.

12.58pm: Another bit of analysis from Nick...

Plenty of talk centering on UAE playmaker Omar Abdul Rahman as the Socceroos consider who they are up against tonight. Manager Ange Postecoglu has openly said he believes his team will be too strong for the Emiratis, reckoning fitness will play a big part if the game becomes stretched.

 12.57pm: The UAE are belting out the national anthem. A fair few UAE fans in the stadium by the looks of it...

12.55pm: Here's our first update from Nick Banks in Australia:

It's an unseasonably cold and wet night in Newcastle as the UAE prepare to face the Asian Cup hosts Australia in New South Wales' second city. An overwhelmingly gold and green crowd are unashamedly expecting a victory, but there is an obvious nervous tension as the kick off gets closer.

12.52pm: The teams are in the tunnel in Newcastle, we are minutes from kick-off. The start is crucial for the UAE. An early goal would set up the game brilliantly for Mahdi Ali's men. Here's a look inside the UAE dressing room:

 

12.47pm: If Omar is the UAE's dangerman, Tim Cahill is the boy for Australia. Can the UAE stop the Aussie star today?

12.41pm: Australia have been talking tough ahead of this match. We've heard Omar Abdul Rahman described as lazy and been told Australia will 'choke the UAE until they are blue'. Just harmless banter or have they gone too far?

12.37pm: Both teams are in. Abbas and Mohammad Abdul Rahman are in for the UAE:

 And here's Australia:

12.25pm: Omar Abdul Rahman has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, with his chipped penalty against Japan in the semi-final a big talking point. Was it an unnecessary risk or an impressive piece of skill? Watch it here:

 

 

 

12.15pm: The UAE face Australia in the Asian Cup semi-final this afternoon and we have all the action for you live right here.

Don't miss a bit of the action with our blow-by-blow commentary, while our man in Australia, Nick Banks, will keep us updated from the stadium.

In the meantime, why not check out some of our preview articles as Mahdi Ali's men look to slay another giant following their heroics against Japan in the quarter-finals:

UAE aim to spoil Australia's party

'UAE have arrived regardless of Australia result'

Australia coach looks beyond Omar Abdul Rahman hype

Plenty of talk centering on UAE playmaker Omar Abdul Rahman as the Socceroos consider who they are up against tonight. Manager Ange Postecoglu has openly said he believes his team will be too strong for the Emiratis, reckoning fitness will play a big part if the game becomes stretched.

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Esmail Al Hammadi is surrounded by Australians during the second half in Newcastle. Image Credit: AFP
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