2019 Asian Cup: Ahmed Khalil scores penalty and papers over UAE cracks to be Hero of the Day

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  • The UAE needed a late penalty from Ahmed Khalil (l) to rescue a point against Bahrain.

    Striker Ahmed Khalil’s love affair with the UAE continued after he rose from the substitutes’ bench to save the struggling hosts from a devastating opening loss to Bahrain on Sunday night when the 2019 Asian Cup kicked off.

    The 2015 AFC Player of the Year watched from the sidelines when Mohamed Al Romaihi converted his own rebound to give the unfancied visitors to Zayed Sports City a 78th-minute lead.

    In response, Khalil was granted a 100th international cap and he duly delivered from the penalty spot to earn a 1-1 draw.

    Here’s a review of our opening Hero of the Day:

    30-SECOND REPORT

    The UAE limped into this competition after a distressing run of results under embattled coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

    This gloom increased when Whites winger Ismail Al Hammadi and striker Ali Mabkhout missed glaring chances, prior to Al Romaihi’s shock strike against – supposedly – limited opponents.

    Panic station. In such moments, trusted players are required.

    Khalil’s recent club seasons have been ravaged by bad form and niggling injury. But his wealth of experience and eye for goal ensured he was the go-to option when a perplexing handball was given against fellow replacement Mohamed Marhoon.

    GOT RIGHT

    Keeping his cool: Zaccheroni had a key decision to make when he looked backwards at his bench.

    Ismail Matar and Khalil have, already, long written their names into Whites lore. For differing reason, age and injury, neither man was able to start.

    But the Italian can count himself lucky to be able to draw on such stellar names.

    Khalil has only scored five times in 19 Arabian Gulf League games since the start of 2017/18. Yet, his composure and killer instinct would not betray him – or his nation.

    0511 hero of day khalil

    GOT WRONG

    Starts are in short supply: Khalil’s career is already a fine one, no matter his heroics on Saturday night.

    There will, however, always be an air of frustration about a performer who so regularly struggles to display optimum fitness.

    On ability alone, Khalil’s spot in the starting XI should be assured. But in truth, this only really occurred during World Cup 2018 qualifying when he was the global joint-top scorer.

    Getting in the right shape, and frame of mind, is the next objective for the 27-year-old. Only then can he build on this starting point.

    VERDICT

    Khalil can reflect warmly on his night’s work – no matter how short it was.

    He was only thrown on in the 81st minute, with the leveller coming before normal time was up.

    Throughout football’s history, the 12-yard distance between penalty post and goalkeeper has appeared ominously large. Khalil’s composure, at a time of dire need, was laudable.

    This is especially the case when his bitty build-up is taken into account.

    A change of shape from Zaccheroni will be required to get him back in the XI – his days on the wing are gone.

    But a ‘super-sub’ role is of immense value. Especially when the UAE are this poor.

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