Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bangkok: A last gasp Humaid Al Zaabi goal handed the United Arab Emirates a thrilling 4-3 win over Kyrgyz Republic on Friday to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Group D of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship.
The victory leaves the Emiratis, who have now played all their Group Stage matches, occupying second spot behind the Islamic Republic of Iran ahead of Saturday’s final round of games when they could seal their ticket to the last eight should Mongolia fail to beat China.
Despite their eventual capitulation, it was the Kyrgyz Republic who went ahead within 60 seconds at the Hua Mark Arena through a Aktai Tashtanov strike, before Abdulla Alhayas and Saeed Balhaj goals gave the UAE a slender lead going into the break.
Further efforts from the Kryrgyz duo of Mamatziia Zholdoshov and Mirlan Zholdubaev, as well as Abdulla Al Salami’s 36th minute finish, saw the game heading towards a draw until Al Zaabi pounced in the final seconds to secure all three points for the UAE.
Kyrgyz Republic: Tashtanov 1’, Zholdoshov 22’, Zholdubaev 36’
United Arab Emirates: Alhayas 17’, Balhaj 19’, Al Salami 36’, Al Zaabi 40’
Photo: AFC