Abu Dhabi: It’s not over yet - UAE are still very much on the Road to Russia.
The Whites facing a must win situation to keep the slim mathematical possibility of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup alive put up an exceptional performance to stun Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the Group B fixture of the World Cup Qualifiers at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
Nawaf Al Abid provided Saudi with an early lead through a penalty before Ali Mabkhout and Ahmad Khalil scored a goal apiece in both halves to see UAE to memorable win. The effort being all the more appreciable as UAE were sans their ace mid-fielder Omar Abdul Rahman ‘Amoory’.
UAE, placed fourth behind Saudi and Australia with 13 points, will now take on Iraq in their last group away fixture on September 5. The Green Falcons looking qualifying for the showpiece event for the first time since 2006 will be hosting Japan next in Jeddah.
In a do-or-die match, the absence of star Amoory was a huge blow but UAE banked on their old warhorse Ismaeil Matar to provide those deft touches upfront. The veteran was very effective despite having waned in agility with time.
Saudi coach Bert Van Marwijk had warned of UAE being ‘frantic’ in the early stages of the match but they remained calm and were more purposeful in their approach.
However, against the run of play Saudi struck through a penalty soon after the first quarter. A faintest of touch from behind was enough for Al Abid to go down and the referee pointed it out to the spot.
Al Abid then was too good to miss out on that opportunity – a left-footed effort settled into the bottom-right corner.
Even before the celebrations could end, UAE struck back. Thanks to the brilliant touch from the highly reputed striker Ali Mabkhout, who had salvaged a last minute draw against Thailand in the previous fixture. He controlled the cross from Tariq Ahmed with a stunning reverse-flick to leave the Saudi defense rooted before finding the bottom-left corner with a right-footed effort.
After the change of ends, Saudi almost doubled the lead in the 53rd minute. Osama Hawsawi’s header from the centre of the box from Al Abid cross following a corner found the framework.
The hosts then weathered a series of raids before Khalil stole the thunder for them a breathtaking long range effort to put them in the lead. Thereafter, UAE held their defenses tight and soaked all the pressure to hold to their edge till the end.
