Substitute Ahmed Khalil, on his 100th cap, netted an 88th-minute penalty kick to save hosts UAE from a losing start to the 2019 Asian Cup against Bahrain.
After a first half of very few chances on Sunday at Zayed Sports City, stand-in striker Mohamed Al Romaihi lashed in at the second attempt on 78 minutes. A shameful Group A- opening appeared to be on, before replacement Mohamed Marhoon’s handball was harshly punished and Khalil did the rest to earn an unsettling 1-1 draw.
GOOD
Khalil comes good
After several seasons to forget, a moment of joy for Khalil – and the grateful UAE.
The 2015 AFC Player of the Year has scored just five Arabian Gulf League goals since summer 2017’s failed free transfer to Al Jazira. But the Whites kept faith in a player struggling, badly, for form and fitness.
Under-pressure coach Alberto Zaccheroni turned to him, instead of veteran Ismail Matar. A calm penalty straight down the middle justified this call.
Bahrain are on the right track
Head coach Miroslav Soukup’s rebuilding job moved a few steps forward on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.
A three-match winless run coming into this match showed the value of the youth football expert’s work, but this draw handed validation to the Czech’s revolution.
Progression to the knockouts for the first time since 2004 is an attainable goal.
BAD
UAE’s chickens come home to roost
Well, no-one connected to the UAE camp can credibly argue this wasn’t predictable.
Denied a precious early breakthrough because of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club winger Ismail Al Hammadi’s errant effort, a stodgy remainder of the match was played out. Ali Mabkhout’s glaring miss came from a poorly defended corner and the leveller was incredibly fortunate.
For their previous 18 matches, Bahrain had not kept a clean sheet at the Asian Cup. A 19th should have followed.
The statistics for Zaccheroni’s grim reign now reads: six wins, eight losses, five draws.
Top spot is anything but assured.
What could have been with Helal?
This was the injury that Bahrain most feared.
Brand-new Slavia Prague signing Abdulla Yusuf Helal – in a move that should be food for thought for UAE opposite number Ali Mabkhout – missed out on the starting XI because of injury in the final, and promising, 4-0 friendly beating of North Korea.
Replacement Al Romaihi scored the opener and impressed. Greedy maybe, but imagine what the usual starting No9 would have done to the uncertain hosts?
🎉 Congratulations Ahmed Khalil on reaching a 100 caps for the UAE 🇦🇪!#AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/6oMrEG3CUN
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 5, 2019
KEY MOMENTS
6th min CHANCE: Al Hammadi turns on the afterburners and charges into the penalty box, but his miscued shot curls agonisingly wide.
44th min CHANCE: Hearts are in mouths from the home crowd as Al Riffa midfielder Komail Al Aswad appears to pick out a perfect free-kick. But his effort just floats over from 20 yards.
53rd min CHANCE: Ali Madan unleashes a swerving shot from 30 yards that Club World Cup hero Khalid Essa spills to Al Romaihi, but he redeems himself with a block.
68th min CHANCE: The ball spins to 2015 Asian Cup top scorer Ali Mabkhout. Yet somehow, the predator drags his shot wide. Unbelievable.
78th min GOAL: Right-back Sayed Redha Isa floats in a cross that Al Romaihi first hits the woodwork off, via Khalifa Mubarak, and then slots in the opener. Stunning.
88th min PENALTY: There is confusion around the ground when the Jordanian referee points to the penalty spot. A harsh handball is punished by Khalil. 1-1.
TACTICAL TALKING POINT
Zaccheroni shows, belated, flexibility
Of all the things Zaccheroni can be accused of, it can’t be said he wasn’t aware of his failings.
A trio of defensively minded midfielders in Khamis Esmail (oddly stationed on the right flank), Ali Salmeen and Amer Abdulrahman did not help the situation. Neither the confused role of playmaker/winger Khalfan Mubarak in a 4-4-1-1.
The ex-AC Milan, Juventus and Japan supremo would turn to his bench before the hour mark and bring on link-man Mohamed Abdulrahman and winger Saif Rashed. Fellow replacement Khalil would come up with the goods from the penalty spot.
Plenty to ponder with India next up on Thursday.
VERDICTS
UAE – C
The phrase ‘must do better’ defined this soporific opener from the hosts.
Mabkhout had little to feed on, and when a chance arose, he snatched at it. Boss Zaccheroni has much work still to do.
BAHRAIN – B+
Damningly for the UAE, Bahrain did not have to be outstanding to come away with a point.
They defended well through the likes of Sayed Dhiya Saeed and stand-in striker Al Romaihi did the business.
