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UAE's World Cup dream turns into nightmare
Side face major struggle to qualify for south africa after Saudi Arabia defeat follows loss to North Korea
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:30 September 12, 2008
- UAE's Ismael Mattar (left) clashed with Saudi Arabia’s Ateef Ahmad during their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night. UAE lost 2-1 meaning their chances of securing a place in South Africa are slim after they were beaten by North Korea on Saturday.
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: The UAE may have produced their best performance of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but they still went down 2-1 against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium.
Although mathematically they still have a chance, the result almost confirmed the UAE are out of the race to win a place in the finals from their group, which also features North Korea, South Korea and Iran,
The UAE had targeted four points from their first two home games, but have finished with none after also losing to North Korea oast Saturday.
It would be a massive achievement to win their remaining matches and make the World Cup next year.
Against Saudi Arabia, the UAE played their best so far, defending well and combining nicely when attacking.
Majid Nasir was superb between the posts with Hayder Allo Ali, Rashid Abdul Rahman, Basheer Saeed and Adil Abdul Aziz all playing well in defence.
Hilal Saeed, Sbuait Khater, Mohammad Al Shehhi and Esmail Al Hammadi were in midfield as the team's captain Abdul Rahim Jumaa missed the game because of injury. Esmail Mattar and Faisal Khalil led the attack.
The UAE were on top for much of the game and Subait Khater's goal from a corner boosted their morale.
Chances wasted
They pressed for another goal but they squandered easy chances.
Khalil was guilty of the worst miss when Mattar sent him clean through on goal but missed the target.
His miss, two minutes before the break, proved to be the turning point of the game.
Saudi Arabia boosted their attack by bringing on Yasir Al Qah'tani followed by Omar Al Ghamdi.
Both players were were instrumental in the victory as Al Qah'tani made the equaliser for Abdo Attif while Al Ghamdi created the winner for Ahamd Al Firidi.
Both Saudi goals were scored within three minutes.
The equaliser was followed by panicked among the home side and they made a series of mistakes especially in defence.
The Saudis capitalised on their blunders and scored again.
Saudi Arabia and North Korea now lead the group with four points each.
The UAE next game will be South Korea in Seoul on October 15.
Are you disappointed with UAE's loss? Who do you think is to blame for it? Do you think there is still a chance for UAE to make the cut? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com
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