Asian Cup 2015: United Arab Emirates beat Bahrain after scoring 19 seconds after kick off
A CALAMITOUS own goal and the 2015 Asian Cup’s fastest goal has all but secured a quarter-final spot for the United Arab Emirates in a 2-1 win over Bahrain.
A CALAMITOUS own goal and the 2015 Asian Cup’s fastest goal has all but secured a quarter-final passage for the United Arab Emirates in a 2-1 win over Bahrain at Canberra Stadium on Thursday.
UAE must now rely on Iran beating or sharing the points with Qatar to see whether they have qualified with a Group C match to spare.
But for Bahrain which has sacked four coaches in the past 18 months it was the end of their Asian Cup campaign.
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UAE’s electric striker Ali Mabkhout ignited the clash when it was just 14 seconds old, scoring the fastest goal at this Asian Cup.
Nigerian-born Jaycee John, 29, the equalised with a super header from an inswinging left foot Faouzi Aaish corner in the 26th minute.
But the game took a nasty twist when Bahraini defender Mohamed Hussain’s attempt to clear a wicked 30m set piece from Amer Abdulrahman ended in the back of the net in the 74th minute.
The ball crashed off the defender’s head handing the UAE an emphatic win after Bahrain did cause some discomfort to the side which belted Qatar 4-1 in Canberra on Sunday.
But Asian Football Confederation officials will now have to sift through the record books to determine whether Mabkhout has jagged the Asian Cup’s fastest goals record for the tournament which kick started in 1956.
Mabkhout found the back of the net for the third time at the tournament after Bahrain had kick off but lost possession when Abdulla Omar was caught in possession.
Skilful playmaker Omar Abdulrahman created all the havoc when he received the ball.
He looked up and chipped the leather to Mabkhout who took one fine deft touch, rounded gloveman Sayed Mohamed Jaffar before slotting the ball home.
That goal was also Mabkhout’s eighth in seven internationals after he claimed the golden boot at the Gulf Cup with five goals in five matches last November.
But just as the UAE started looking comfortable and were aiming for an insurance goal Jaycee John equalised.
The Bahraini international who wanted to play A-League football in 2006 but couldn’t earn a contract had another chance three minutes later to score again but this time his powerful header was well saved by UAE keeper Majed Naser.
But after an exciting 45 minutes the match was reduced to pedestrian status until a mistake from Bahrain keeper Mohamed Jaffar gave the 13th match of the this Asian Cup much needed spice in the 62nd minute.
Mohamed Jaffer oddly clutched a pass back which A-League referee Chris Beath rightfully punished but playmaker Abdulrahman couldn’t direct his 14m shot on target after the Bahrain wall appeared to be standing closer than the mandatory 10 yards.
Jaycee John then had another chance to find the back of the net in the 70th minute but his cross-come-shot which was deflected by Mohamed Ahmed missed both uprights by millimetres.
Bahrain made four changes to the side which lost 2-0 to Iran in the opening Group C match in Melbourne.
Sayed Ahmed Jaffar, Al Malood, Duaij and Al Hooti started while UAE made one change to the side which belted Qatar 4-1 in Canberra last Sunday.
Mohamed Ahmed replaced Mohanad Al Enzi in defence.
ASIAN CUP GROUP C
FULL TIME: BAHRAIN 1 (Jaycee John 26m) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2 (Ali Mabkhout 1m, TOG 74M) at Canberra Stadium — Referee: Chris Beath (Australia) — Crowd: 7,925.