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.
GOAL! @Tim_Cahill scores moments after coming off the bench. #UAE 0-1 #AUS #WCQ pic.twitter.com/D0KfWhjxgu
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 6, 2016
Match ended
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) September 6, 2016
UAE 0:1 Australia#UAEvAUS #WCQ2018 #RoadToRussiahttps://t.co/D3DKoio0RP pic.twitter.com/42OBVidBTD
🎥 | Here it is, @Mohanad_R8 giving the Lions a crucial 1-0 lead in Malaysia! 🦁 #IRQvKSA pic.twitter.com/un2gCVwoH1
— Soccer Iraq (@SoccerIraq) September 6, 2016
Nouaf El Abed makes it again from a PEN , its 2-1 ! IRQ 🇮🇶 1 - 2 🇸🇦 KSA #IRQvKSA #WCQ2018 #WCQ #WCQualifier pic.twitter.com/YpRhoalfYP
— FOOT+ ⚽️ (@FootPlusDz1) September 6, 2016
Match ended
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) September 6, 2016
China PR 0:0 IR Iran#CHNvIRN #WCQ2018 #RoadToRussiahttps://t.co/D3DKoio0RP pic.twitter.com/CmFR0pn5FP
Match ended
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) September 6, 2016
Syria 0:0 Korea Republic#SYRvKOR #WCQ2018 #RoadToRussiahttps://t.co/D3DKoio0RP pic.twitter.com/304qYGor0B
THAILAND 0-2 JAPAN
Finally. The Jaguar finally score Japan's 2nd. Thai GK beaten by Takuma Asano on a counter attack. #THAvJPN pic.twitter.com/roypaG6aRS
— Midoru Shūto (@Michael_Master) September 6, 2016
Match ended
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) September 6, 2016
Qatar 0:1 Uzbekistan#QATvUZB #WCQ2018 #RoadToRussiahttps://t.co/D3DKoio0RP pic.twitter.com/1ngg0I8PK1