Ali Mabkhout goal gives UAE win over Saudi
abu dhabi — The UAE came from behind to beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an international friendly at Al Nahyan Stadium on Thursday.
The Saudis started aggressively with their interim coach Yossif Anbar employing 4-2-3-1 formation. The Saudis drew first blood when the UAE failed to clear a corner kick and Adbdulfattah Mohamed Adam sent the loose ball into the net with a right-footed strike in the 18th minute.
Although the Saudis enjoyed more possession, the Whites were unfazed by the early deficit and bounced back strongly.
Ali Mabkhout came close — eight minutes after the Saudis took the lead — when he connected a freekick into the box but his volley went wide over the bar.
The UAE had the final chance of the first half when Saif Rashid beat the offside trap in added time and surged down the middle, but Saudi goalkeeper Mustafa Malayekah intercepted to bring an end to the first 45 minutes.
The UAE, which reached the semifinals of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on home soil, looked dangerous on the break in the second half and scored two goals in the space of nine minutes to win the match.
Bandar Mohammed found the net for the equaliser in the 54th minute.
The UAE soon began to find gaps in the Saudi backline.
In the 63rd minute, Khalfan Mubarak collected a cross and dashed down the left before sending in a lobbed pass over the defenders which Mabkhout headed home to earn a highly impressive win over a strong Saudi team.
2-1
Margin of victory for hosts UAE over Saudi Arabia in the friendly