UAE Secures 3-1 Victory Over Qatar in FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

photo:AFP

In a thrilling encounter at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the UAE pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat Qatar 3-1 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A match on Thursday.

The match began on a scrappy note, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. It wasn’t until the 15th minute that Qatar made their first notable attempt. Two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar, threatened the UAE defense when Akram Afif appeared poised to score. However, a crucial late interception by Khalifa Al Hammadi denied him a tap-in, showcasing the UAE's determination early in the match.

Qatar continued to apply pressure, and Afif played a vital role again, delivering a beautiful cross from the left to his teammate Jassem Gaber. Unfortunately for Qatar, Gaber’s powerful header flew over the bar from close range, leaving them frustrated as they sought the opening goal.

The turning point came in the 38th minute when Qatar finally broke the deadlock. Afif found 18-year-old Ibrahim Al Hassan, who made an impressive run. After evading defender Yahia Nader, Al Hassan unleashed a powerful shot that struck the bottom corner, putting Qatar ahead and energizing their supporters.

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The second half began with both teams largely cancelling each other out, with neither goalkeeper, Qatar’s Meshaal Barsham nor Khalid Eisa from the UAE, facing significant threats. However, just past the hour mark, the UAE began to find their footing. Abdulla Hamad came close to leveling the score with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it hit the side netting, signaling to Qatar that they needed to tighten their defense.

As the UAE grew in confidence, they found the equalizer in the 68th minute. Harib Abdalla, given space in the box, skillfully cut inside before firing a powerful shot past Barsham, sending the UAE fans into a frenzy and changing the momentum of the match.

The UAE's comeback was solidified in the 80th minute when full-back Khaled Aldhanhani intercepted a pass in midfield. He quickly surged forward, received a return pass from Harib, and unleashed a stunning shot into the top corner, giving the UAE a 2-1 lead and leaving the Qatari defense scrambling.

As the match neared its conclusion, tension filled the air when referee Shaun Evans pointed to the penalty spot after spotting a handball from Nader. However, after a VAR check, the decision was overturned, much to Qatar's dismay, and with it, their hopes of salvaging the match began to fade.

In the dying moments of the game, the UAE secured their victory with a third goal in stoppage time. Substitute Ali Saleh capitalized on a defensive mistake, striking his shot into the roof of the net and sealing a remarkable 3-1 win for the Emiratis.

This impressive performance showcased the UAE's resilience and skill, highlighting their potential as they continue their journey in the AFC Asian Qualifiers.