Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Canberra: The fastest goal ever scored in AFC Asian Cup history from the boot of Ali Mabkhout and a second-half own goal by Mohamed Hussain were enough to give the United Arab Emirates a 2-1 victory over Bahrain on Thursday. Match highlights: Bahrain 1-2 UAE Click here for match summary
Striker Mabkhout’s historic opener came within just 14 seconds of kick-off in the Group C match played at a sun-drenched Canberra Stadium. However, Nigeria-born striker Jaycee John Okwunwanne brought Bahrain back into the tie with a header before the half hour mark.
The match continued in end-to-end fashion and it took an unfortunate own goal from Bahrain captain Hussain on the 74th minute to separate the sides as the Island nation were eliminated from the tournament, following their defeat on Sunday to Iran.
After a convincing 4-1 victory over Gulf Cup champions Qatar at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, UAE coach Mahdi Ali made just the one change to his starting 11 with Mohamed Ahmad replacing Mohanad Al Enzi in defence.
Bahrain coach Marjan Eid, meanwhile, brought in four new faces as he looked for a positive result to ensure his side’s tournament would continue to the final group game.
But Eid could have hardly prepared for what happened in the opening seconds of the game. Shortly after the kick off, Bahrain defender Abdulla Omar lost the ball to Omar Abdulrahman in the right-back position and the playmaker’s immediate lofted pass found Mabkhout running through on goal to slip the ball under goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Abbas for an extraordinary start to the contest.
Despite the stunning setback, Bahrain looked to respond and Abdulwahab Al Malood and Okwunwanne both had volleyed efforts at Majed Naser’s goal that flew wide.
Mohamed Abdulrahman could have then helped the UAE go two goals to the good after he did well to retain possession inside the penalty area and play in Ahmed Khalil but the striker could only fire his shot onto the foot of Abbas’ near post.
And UAE’s failure to convert was punished on 25 minutes as Okwunwanne rose highest at the back post to power home Faouzi Aaish’s inswinging corner with a thumping header.
Three minutes later the powerful forward almost replicated his efforts and he headed a left-wing cross from Rashed Al Hooti that Naser did well to save.
As the first period continued in frenetic fashion, Omar Abdulrahman then danced past two defenders before playing in Mabkhout who tricked his way past Abbas only to see the ball cleared off the line.
The second period didn’t begin as dramatically as the first, but Al Malood did have a chance on goal 10 minutes after the interval as Okwunwanne’s header back to him found him with space for a shot inside the penalty area, but the forward could only steer his shot narrowly wide.
A Bahraini back pass before the hour mark was punished with a free kick a yard inside the penalty area, and from the dead-ball Omar Abdulrahman clipped the top of the crossbar with a sweetly-struck shot.
But on 73 minutes, again from a set piece, the UAE took the lead. An inswinging free kick from the left side by Amer Abdulrahman curled dangerously into the penalty area and was met by the head of Bahrain skipper Hussain and inadvertently flew into his own net.
Bahrain almost restored parity through a free kick of their own through Faouzi Aaish but Naser was able to tipped over the inswinging free kick from the right as Bahrain cranked up the pressure with forwards Abdulatif and Sami Al Husaini entering the fray.
But, the UAE were able to contain the Bahraini onslaught and saw out the tie and take all three points to win their second consecutive game at the continental championship.
Photo: WSG