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Khalil nets winner for UAE

Substitute Ahmed Khalil fired home the all-important goal of the fast-paced clash five minutes before the final
 whistle.

With this result the Whites have advanced to the second stage of the competition irrespective of the outcome of their clash against Kuwait.

The national team will take on Kuwait at the same venue on Sunday. Kick off time is 6:30pm (UAE time).

However, the game is crucial for the Kuwaitis who need at least a draw to claim the second spot reserved for the group in the semifinals.

The Kuwaitis occupy the second place behind pace setters UAE with one point and on goals differences from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis drew their first game against Kuwait in the opener and went 0-1 down to UAE on reappearance. But still the Saudis are hopeful that UAE could beat Kuwait by more than one goal and revive their hopes for a berth in the last four.

UAE coach Mahdi Ali started the game with a clear 4-4-2 strategy with keeper Yousuf Abdul Rahman, defenders Mohammed Ahmed, Ali Al Amri, Abdul Aziz Haikal and Abdul Aziz Sanqoor, midfielders Amer Abdul Rahman, Mohammed Fawzi, Zeyab Awana and Omer Abdul Rahman, and Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Ali upfront.

The Asian champions set their pace right from the word go but the UAE strikers missed many easy scoring opportunities in front of the open Saudi net. UAE full back Abdul Aziz Sanqoor was only unlucky when his long range shot hit the cross bar and Ali Mabkhout couldn’t find the target with only the keeper to beat in the opening minutes of the first half.

At the beginning of the second half, UAE coach Mahdi Ali sent in Ahmed Khalil to substitute Ali Mabkhout.

Twenty minutes later, Ali pulled out Zeyab AWana and replaced him with Haboush Saleh to improve the performance in midfield.

Towards the 84^th minute, Ahmed Ali led a courageous move before being brought down by the Saudi defenders few yards in front of the box. Ahmed Khalil spared no effort to beat the Saudi keeper Abdullah Al Sudairi in great style and make it 1-0 for the UAE.

Thereafter, Ali substituted Omer Abdul Rahman with Mohammed Jamal.

However, the Saudis tried to battle back and put their opponents under very strong pressure, but the UAE lads defended their advantage courageously throughout the four minutes extra time.

The UAE’s brilliant midfielder Amer Abdul Rahman was voted the best player of the game against Saudi Arabia. Mirza Ahmed, assistant secretary general of the AGCC Football Organising Committee, presented the trophy to Abdul Rahman, who was very impressive and did great work in midfield.

Rumaithi congratulates the delegation

Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, president of the UAE FA, congratulated the delegation of the UAE U-23 national team in Doha following the well deserved 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the AGCC U-23 Championship.

Al Rumaithi spoke to the head of the delegation Rashid Al Zaabi over the phone. He also thanked the players for what they have done and wished them every success in the upcoming challenges.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com