UAE on the brink of Olympics football debut

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.