Sport | Football
UAE on the brink of Olympics football debut
Abdul Rahman’s strike gives team narrow victory over Australia
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 20:12 February 22, 2012
- Image Credit: Pankaj Sharma/Gulf News archive
- UAE’s Hamdan Al Kamali shadows India’s Je Je during a match held at Al Ain in the first round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE are a single point away from realising their dream of appearing in the Olympic Games football competition in London this summer.
This follows their beating Australia 1-0 at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium to top Group B of the Asian qualifiers Wednesday night.
Omar Abdul Rahman, who returned to the team following a long absence because of injury, scored the all-important goal in the 22nd minute.
The UAE now only need a draw away to Uzbekistan on March 14 to secure the nation’s Olympic football debut.
The decisive play started with a fierce free kick from Ahmad Khalil, which Mathew Ryan, the Australian custodian, blocked to Habib Al Fardan, whose shot was deflected for a corner.
Abdul Rahman played a short flag kick to Rashid Eissa, who backheeled the ball back to him and he sent a strong left-footed shot that swept underneath Ryan at his near post.
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
A Christian comment: France can flourish
World Cup-winner Karembeu predicts big things for his country
-
Japan in quarters of AFC Futsal championship
Thrash Tajikistan 6-1 at al wasl club to seal place in knockout
-
High-quality runners set for action
Field includes Smart-trained Group 1 winners Aziz, Harran and Areej
