The UAE’s hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018 have taken a hammer-blow after Mohammed Al Sahlawi’s late penalty sealed a 2-1 win for Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
After a sloppy start, industrious forward Ahmed Khalil put the visitors into the lead with a stunning long-range free-kick that the Saudi goalkeeper did not get near.
However the Emiratis were unable to capitalize upon their momentum and Ismail Al Hammadi’s moment of indecision at the back gifted the hosts possession, and a few slick passes later Mohammed Al Sahlawi had his first goal of the evening.
From this moment the Saudis were in the driving seat and several shots rained down upon the UAE goal, with none accurate enough to land the killer blow.
UAE star player Omar Abdulrahman had an uncharacteristically poor match and did not trouble the Saudi Arabia defence with his usual energy and efficiency.
To cap-off his poor display, the Al Ain midfielder gave away a late penalty that Al Sahlaw needed no second invitation to strike home sweetly in the 89th minute and gift his side top spot in the pool.
The UAE are not out of the World Cup just yet but it will take a vastly improved effort from the whole squad and a little bit of luck to even consider getting on a plane to Russia.
Winning every game from here on out is a mandatory requirement, but also that the Saudis slip up in one of their three remaining fixtures.
The UAE host Saudi Arabia next March; they will hope by then there remains something to play for.
