Sport | Football

UAE youth one win away from retaining title

Defending champions UAE topped the GCC Youth Soccer Championships standings after defeating Bahrain 4-1 in their second match at Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City stadium at Abha, in Southern Saudi Arabia.

  • By Sayed Ali, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 23:23 August 5, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Defending champions UAE topped the GCC Youth Soccer Championships standings after defeating Bahrain 4-1 in their second match at Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Sports City stadium at Abha, in Southern Saudi Arabia.

The UAE have six points from two wins after defeating Oman 2-0 in the first match on Sunday. UAE have scored six goals and conceded just one, which is a good record for the young team.

The UAE's last match against Saudi Arabia tomorrow at the same venue will decide the champion after Oman and Bahrain have lost two matches each.

The UAE youngsters continued their dazzling form yesterday. Mohammad Hussain opened the scores for the UAE early in the first half. Abdullah Eisa advanced from the left and crossed to Hussain, who shot to the right of Bahraini goalkeeper Naser Mehboub.

The goal boosted the morale of the UAE players and dominated the match, launching several attacks. Abdullah Eisa hit the second in the 37th minute from the right. His powerful shot went above the Bahraini keeper into the top far corner of the net.

Abdullah Eisa missed a good chance at the beginning of the second session when he failed to capitalise on a cross from Fahd Hadid cross inside the box.

Lone goal

The Bahrainis responded by scoring their only goal with a powerful shot by Ahmad Eisa to the right of the UAE custodian Eisa Abbas.

Mohammad Hussain lost another sitter for UAE before Abdullah Eisa's header beat Mehboub in the 75th minute to make it 3-1.

Man of the match Fahd Hadid put icing on the cake by scoring the fourth three minutes later when Mohammad Hussain crossed from the left and the Bahraini keeper failed to collect the ball. Hadid slotted the rebound into an empty net.

The UAE have six points from two wins after defeating Oman 2-0 in the first match. They have scored six goals and conceded one

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