UAE OFF TO A FLYING START
The UAE began their campaign in the Gulf Cup of Nations with a victory over Oman at the Jaber International Stadium, in Kuwait City, late on Friday night. Ali Ahmed Mabkhout, the Al Jazira marksman scored from a penalty as the Whites started the tournament with a solitary goal win over the Omanis in the Group A fixture.
It was Alberto Zaccheroni’s first official and competitive assignment as the new UAE coach and while the Italian couldn’t have asked for a better start, it is still early days and a lot needs to be done.
Ali Mabkhout scored the winner on 28 minutes after the frontman tried to connect to a through from Omar Abdulraman but was fouled by Khalid Khalifa Al Hajri inside the box. Iraqi referee Ali Sabah Al Qaysi pointed to the spot and Mabkhout made no mistake.
Ali Mabkhout, despite his exertions in the Fifa Club World Cup, showed no signs of fatigue and was a constant threat in the Oman goal. He lasted the full 90 minutes before giving way for Ahmed Mallah in stoppage time.
Oman held 53 per cent of the possession as compared to the UAE’s 47 per cent but the latter managed to get the result they wanted.
Both the teams had three shots on target, while Oman forced nine corners to the UAE’s three. The UAE had five shot wide, while Oman had three.
It was the UAE’s fifth win in 13 matches against Oman.
Playmaker Omar Abdulrahman was impressive as usual, pulling the strings in midfield and setting up a number of chances. But the Whites couldn’t add to their lead.
It was a thrilling ending as well with the UAE pushing hard in the final minutes of regulation time as well as the three minutes of stoppage but the Oman backline thwarted their moves.
“I think in the first half, we maybe showed too much respect. But then, we played well and we were good in control until that penalty,” Oman coach Pim Verbeek said in the post-match press conference.
“After the penalty, the UAE had a couple of more chances. It showed the inexperience of my team. We lacked the final pass and the final touch. Overall, disappointed with the result but happy with the way my team played,” the Dutchman, who was the UAE assistant coach in 2005, added.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait in the tournament opener. Salman Al Moasher scored and provided an assist as Saudi Arabia won 2-1.
Al Moasher gave Saudi Arabia the lead on 13 minutes and then substitute Mukhtar Fallatah scored from his first touch after coming on for Hazzaa Al Hazzaa. The Saudis dominated possession with 56 per cent.
The UAE face a stiff test against Saudi Arabia on Monday, while Oman meet Kuwait.