Jordan draw moves UAE one step closer

Whites will progress to AFC Under-23 Championship quarters with result over Vietnam This tournament is of paramount importance to the UAE as a top three finish at the championships would ensure their qualification to this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de

The UAE are “one step closer” to booking a spot in the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-23 Championship after a “positive” goalless draw with Jordan in Qatar on Sunday, according to the Whites’ assistant coach Noureddine Abidi.

Victory would have put the UAE through to the last eight after they shocked Australia 1-0 in Thursday’s group opener. But they missed the opportunity to confirm early progression in their second match and must now wait for Wednesday’s decisive third and final pool game against bottom-of-the-group Vietnam. Despite this Abidi says “everything is in our hands.”

Jordan had earlier beaten Vietnam 3-1 on Thursday and Australia went on to beat Vietnam 2-0 on Sunday. But if the UAE slip up against Vietnam, Australia and Jordan could progress with a draw in their game together on Wednesday.

This tournament is of paramount importance to the UAE as a top three finish at the championships would ensure their qualification to this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The UAE made their Olympic debut at London 2012 and are now in search of a second successive appearance.

Hospitalised

UAE coach Abdullah Misfer was hospitalised before the Jordan game but later discharged after suffering from fever and high blood pressure, leaving his assistant Abidi in charge.

“This match was very tough,” said Abidi. “Both teams went into it with a huge spirit to win, taking into consideration the situation that both of us won our previous match.

“It meant a different calculation and strategy. We started strong and we had two good chances in the first half and if we had scored we would have been in a good situation, but apart from these two chances the game was very tactical.

“For us it was a positive result as it brings us one step closer to qualification. Everything is in our hands and in the next game we have to win in order to qualify.”

The UAE’s Mohammad Al Akberi had his effort cleared on five minutes and Sultan Saif miscued his shot four minutes later. Abdullah Ali and Yousuf Saeed then struck wide either side of the interval.

Jordan’s first chance didn’t come until after the hour when Ehsan Haddad hit the side netting. But UAE keeper Mohammad Busanda kept his side in it moments later after diving to save Baha Faisal’s strike.

Ahmad Al Hashmi was then just off target for the UAE before the end, but neither side could break the deadlock.

“The match was very tactical. Both teams were very cautious, they didn’t look to win or lose,” said Jordan coach Jamal Ahmad. “We were very cautious and looking at the strength of the opposition.

“The group is still very open and we have to prepare well for the next game to ensure we can go through to the next round.”