The UAE’s World Cup qualifying hopes were left in tatters on Tuesday evening as they crashed to a humiliating 3-1 defeat to minnows Lebanon in Beirut’s Cite Sportive Stadium costing boss Srecko Katanec his job after he was sacked minutes after the final whistle.
The defeat leaves the UAE bottom of Group B with no points after two games and with a meeting against group favourites South Korea in Seoul next up, their hopes of reaching Brazil in 2014 look dead and buried.
Footballing outposts like Lebanon can usually guarantee a hostile and intimidating environment that makes away trips for stronger sides more difficult than they should be.
In Lebanon, the atmosphere maybe hostile but the sheer lack of numbers – although actually relatively large by Lebanese standards, around 6,000 people – in the stands diluted any real chance of intimidation. The scrappy pitch, that Katanec complained about before the game, was a much greater hindrance.
Lebanon welcomed back former Freiburg star Roda Antar but they were shorn of Al Ahli defender Youssef Mohammad whose return to international football was immediately disrupted by injury against South Korea on Friday.
Ahmad Khalil got in the first shot of the game, a tame effort after Ali al Saadi carelessly lost the ball deep in the Lebanon half under pressure.
Antar’s return to the national team provided Lebanon with some cohesion and an able playmaker but the Cedars’ defense was bailed out more often than not by blatant – if unpunished – dives.
Lebanon’s defence had their biggest scare after 10 minutes when goalkeeper Ziad al Samad was unable to collect the ball inside the area, gifting the ball to Ahmed Khalil who squared to Mohammad al Shehhi. His weak effort however was cleared by the scrambling Samad.
Mistakes continued, Lebanon’s defence gifting the ball away in the penalty area to Khalil a number of times. Unfortunately for the UAE, the 20-year old was seemingly unable to connect properly.
On 14 minutes, Akram Moghrabi broke down the left hand side before cutting into the penalty area where he was clumsily brought down by Khalid Sebil. The referee looked to have pointed to the spot but play continued.
The UAE quickly broke down the right hand side, Sebil moving inside where he was hacked down by Saadi. Subait Khatar’s cross from the resulting free kick was a shallow one but Mahmoud Al Hammadi was able to meet it early and steer the ball inside the near post to give the UAE a 1-0 lead.
Al Hammdi nearly doubled his tally two minutes later but Samad was able to it as to keep out his powerful free kick.
Saadi nearly atoned for his shocking defensive performance after 22 minutes. Antar tapped a free kick to Saadi 30 yards from goal and his drive was hit true and hard straight at Majed Naser who could only punch back into a crowded penalty area.
Moments later Lebanon nearly equalised again, Antar heading against the bar from Hassan Maatouk inswinging cross. Maatouk’s influence would grow as the half wore on, winning free kicks and stretching the UAE defence.
And on 35 minutes the defenxe finally snapped as Walid Abbas was adjudged to have knocked over Mohammad Ghaddar illegally in the area. Ghaddar brushed himself down and calmly slotted in the penalty to bring the scores level.
UAE FA chief Mohammad Khalfan Al Ruithami, visibly displeased, made his way into the UAE dressing room at half time, presumably not to say “thanks for coming”.
He will have been even unhappier seven minutes into the second half when Ghaddar disposed Youssef Jaber on the byline and crossed to Moghrabi who poked the ball into an empty net to put the UAE 2-1 behind. A smiling – and rather unfortunate – Moghrabi was then instantly replaced for Mahmoud el Ali.
Ghaddar should have doubled his tally 10 minutes later after running onto Samad’s goal kick. Mohammad Ahmad Gharib was able to get back to make a last minute interception but the UAE were in disarray, unable to bring any cohesion or clear thinking to their play.
Salem Saleh was introduced with 25 minutes left to play and he didn’t even break stride as he connected with a thunderous header that cannoned off the crossbar. He then drew an astonishing save from Samad 10 minutes later.
Katanec moved three men up front but little changed, the UAE left scratching for chances, over-utilising the long ball and allowing Maatouk to have too much joy down the left hand side.
The visitors laid siege to Lebanon half late on as the hosts milked every second they could. And with the UAE all at sea Lebanon delivered the knock out punch when Antar headed Atwi’s cross past Naser with eight minutes left on the clock to seal the points.
