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.
Here are the ratings:
UAE (4-4-1-1)
Khalid Essa – 6: Surprisingly spilled a second-half shot, but reacted superbly to keep it out. Didn’t have a great deal else to do in Abu Dhabi.
Bandar Al Ahbabi – 6: The usual energy was not apparent at Zayed Sports City from the Al Ain rocket. Was the reason tactical or personal?
Khalifa Mubarak – 7: One of few Whites stars to escape from this with reputation enhanced. Really unlucky not to keep out Al Romaihi’s goal.
Fares Juma – 5: The skipper of the UAE was nowhere to be seen when Al Romaihi had two attempts to put Bahrain ahead after interval.
Al Hassan Saleh – 5: The Sharjah left-back is an average-to-good Arabian Gulf League left-back. Why didn’t Walid Abbas start the game?
Ismail Al Hammadi – 5: Missed a glorious opportunity in the sixth minute. Influence of the experienced winger waned from that moment.
Ali Salmeen – 5: The Al Wasl midfield battler simply wasn’t required. Some imagination and drive was needed in preference.
Amer Abdulrahman – 5: His passing needed to be at his sharpest. Instead, the Al Ain man did nothing before being hooked early on.
Khamis Esmail – 5: It appeared that the Wasl defensive midfielder was utilised on the left wing. The question is, why did that happen?
Khalfan Mubarak – 4: Biggest disappointment of a disappointing night. Looked lost in the formation and was deservedly hooked.
Ali Mabkhout – 5: The fans could not believe it when a golden opportunity was spurned in second half by the predator from Al Jazira.
SUBSTITUTES
Saif Rashed – 7: Stretched Bahrain with his pace and drive. Should have started.
Mohamed Abdulrahman – 7: Added a bit of thought and liveliness to a plodding midfield
Ahmed Khalil – N/A: Several seasons of under-performance dissipated with this clinical penalty when the UAE needed him. Excellent way to mark a 100th cap.
BAHRAIN (4-3-3)
Sayed Shubbar Alawi – 6: The Bahrain goalkeeper would have expected an onslaught. Instead, he had few saves of note to make.
Sayed Redha Isa – 7: Kept it steady on his flank and then produced the all-important cross that team-mate Al Romaihi pounced upon.
Hamad Al-Shamsan – 7: Showed a physical presence against the usually formidable Mabkhout. Deserved to be on a winning team.
Waleed Al Hayam – 7: Another centre-back who shone for Bahrain in a remarkable display. At 27-years old, is a player coming into his own.
Ahmed Juma – 6: Would have been unsettled by Al Hammadi’s early dynamism, but responded well to this challenge. Solid stuff.
Komail Al Aswad – 6: Came exceedingly close at the end of the first half through a free-kick. An inventive presence in the middle.
Abdulwahab Al-Safi – 7: A redoubtable display from one of the veterans of this inexperienced side. This leadership was required in Abu Dhabi.
Sayed Dhiya Saeed – 6: Was tasked with keeping it tight in middle, but still took the chance several times in first half to put in good crosses.
Ali Madan – 7: His rasping second-half shot caused panic in UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa. Was a profitable outlet for the Bahrainis.
Mohamed Al Romaihi – 8: Stood in superbly for injured star striker Abdulla Yusuf Helal. Required two bites at getting the opener for Bahrain.
Jamal Rashid – 6: Another attacker who hit the flank when in possession and tucked inside when Bahrain did not have the ball. Decent.
SUBSTITUTES
Abdulla Yusuf Helal – N/A: New Slavia Prague buy was restricted by injury to a late cameo role.
Mohamed Marhoon – N/A: Had barely been on the pitch by the time he was punished, harshly, for handball.
Sami Al Husaini – N/A: Thrown on at the death to try and eat up time.
