The UAE’s quest to secure a return to the World Cup received a blow from substitute Tim Cahill’s right boot, with the veteran forward’s 48th international goal securing a tight-but-merited 1-0 win for visitors Australia on a sapping Tuesday night in the capital.
An incredible opening to the third-and-final round of qualifying had been secured with last week’s Ahmed Khalil-inspired, come-from-behind victory in Japan.
There was to be only frustration this time, although much encouragement can be gained from holding the 2015 Asian Cup winners – and the side who then easily dispatched them in the semi-finals – at arm’s length for much of this contest.
The Socceroos – with their World Cup know-how, lashings of European experience and combative approach exemplified through Bani Yas anchorman Mark Milligan’s superb deputisation for injured captain Mile Jedinak – undoubtedly edged it. Yet a defeat for the hosts in front of a vocal and nearly-full Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium would still have hurt.
But no matter, three points from a pair of daunting opening tests against regular entrants in the Samurai Blue and Socceroos is more than coach Mahdi Ali could have realistically hoped for from his ‘Golden Generation’. Repeating the feat of the side who made Italia ’90 – a stage the nation has not been able to step on since – remains intriguingly possible.
GOAL! @Tim_Cahill scores moments after coming off the bench. #UAE 0-1 #AUS #WCQ pic.twitter.com/D0KfWhjxgu
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 6, 2016
Next month’s trip to Saudi Arabia gains increasing importance. A year-long showdown between them to finish third and fight to make the inter-continental play-off looms large.
Despite Australia boasting all the best chances, the only moment of true panic last night prior to the 92-cap veteran’s predatory 75th-minute strike came on the hour mark as Manchester City-owned centre midfielder Aaron Mooy clattered the crossbar.
There were no such highlights for the Whites, for whom the exemplary Omar Abdulrahman kept creating opportunities for underwhelming forwards Khalil and Ali Mabkhout to waste.
If lessons are taken from the ruthless approach that perennial World Cup entrants Australia applied to this contest, the UAE can still advance. Coach Ange Postecoglou – caked in sweat and kicking every ball – ensured his team defended stoically through the likes of Trent Sainsbury and preyed on any moment of weakness.
Centre-back Mohanad Salem’s loss of Cahill gave them the moment they had waited for. The 36-year-old was then perfectly placed to tap-in Bournemouth full-back Brad Smith’s inviting centre.
Mabkhout miscontrolled on his home ground for Al Jazira when played in, while lively Al Ahli winger Ismail Al Hammadi then cut inside and stung Valencia stopper Mat Ryan’s fingers.
Match ended
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) September 6, 2016
UAE 0:1 Australia#UAEvAUS #WCQ2018 #RoadToRussiahttps://t.co/D3DKoio0RP pic.twitter.com/42OBVidBTD
At the other end, the best chance fell to Bayer Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse, whose low shot was smothered by Khalid Essa after an uncharactertistically-suicidal pass from defender Ismail Ahmed.
Australia had been expected to wane under the punishingly-humid conditions and a thermometer which reached 39C at kick-off. But they came on stronger after the break, despite Whites coach Mahdi Ali’s attempts to gain his side an advantage with a half-time rollicking of referee Mohd Amirul.
Huddersfield Town-loanee Aaron Mooy smashed against the crossbar after a Smith cross was half-cleared, with the excellent Jiangsu Suning centre-back Sainsbury then not being able to stretch his neck muscles to properly direct a free-kick towards goal.
Momentum was firmly with the Socceroos and reward finally came with 15 minutes left through Cahill, who had only just entered the pitch.
Stung by the concession, the UAE roused without truly threatening. A sinuous road to Russia during the next year awaits them.
