UAE clinch crucial draw with Spain to make F5WC last 16

Martyn Thomas 08:18 14/06/2014
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  • Rallying back: UAE (r) recovered from early deficits in all their group games.

    Jawad Al Gaidy provided the last meaningful action on day one of the F5WC – The World Football Fives as his last-minute goal sent the UAE into the last 16.

    Trailing Spain 1-0 in their final Group H game, the home side were on the verge of exiting the tournament until the Dubai-born Iraqi flicked home from a couple of yards.

    It was Al Gaidy’s third strike in as many games and ensured the UAE topped their group, and set up a knockout round clash with England. 

    Nigeria, who were earlier denied a point in their opening game against the Emirates by another late Al Gaidy goal, may not be happy though as Spain refused to attack in the final 30 seconds safe in the knowledge that a 1-1 draw took themselves and the UAE both through.

    “I am happy because we drew, we didn’t win, but we will play tomorrow against England,” said 23-yearold Al Gaidy, who played youth team football with Ajman, Al Ahli and Al Ain. “We are happy because we are from the UAE, this tournament is here and we had to come play.”

    The UAE were made to work for their place in the last 16 as they fell behind in all three of their Group H games, recovering from a goal down to beat Nigeria before wiping out a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Hong Kong.

    “I’m really proud, to represent the UAE is huge,” UAE captain and former Huddersfield trainee, Sean O’Shea said. “We said before we started if we could get through the group and into the next round we’ll see what happens. You dream of winning it but you have to be realistic, you don’t know who you’re playing against or the quality of the teams. But we’ll just keep trying our best.”

    Next up for the UAE is a tough looking last 16 clash with England. The British side, who hail from west London, are using their time in Dubai to warm up for another international tournament in Brazil next week.

    They emerged from Group A, beating Ireland and Saudi Arabia but losing to South Africa.

    “It was tough,” England’s James McCluskey said. “We had a good start winning the first game but then we had a tough game against South Africa, who were very organised. The standard is good to be honest, quite high.”

    Uruguay were the team to beat on day one, scoring 17 goals in their first three games as the nation who won the first ever World Cup suggested they may well do the same in the inaugural F5WC.

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