Asian Cup 2015: United Arab Emirates turn on style to beat Qatar 4-1 at Canberra Stadium

STRIKER Ahmed Khalil grabbed an eccentric double as United Arab Emirates opened their Asian Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Qatar at Canberra Stadium.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11: United Arab Emirates players celebrate a goal during the 2015 Asian Cup match between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar at Canberra Stadium on January 11, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

UNITED Arab Emirates striker Ahmed Khalil grabbed an eccentric double in a 4-1 win over Qatar at Canberra Stadium.

Khalil has now staked an early claim for the Asian Cup’s golden boot, but he has company after his teammate, Ali Mabkhout, also scored a brace.

Ali Ahmed Mabkhout and Omar Abdulrahman were instrumental in the big win.

While Qatar’s Khalfan Ibrahim opened Group C’s goal account with a wonderful 15m chip against the run of play, UAE equalised in the 38th minute with the most bizarre goal of the Asian Cup to date.

Khalil was credited with the goal but he seemingly didn’t know too much about it until the ball crossed the line after the impressive Omar Abdulrahman caused mischief inside the box.

But his second goal was a little less dramatic.

His 20m angled free kick sailed over a three-man Qatari wall and three other defenders before crashing home seven minutes after the break.

Ali Mabkhout then made it 3-1 for UAE in the 56th minute when he reacted first to a rebound when Burhan parried Khamis Esmaeel’s 22m free kick into traffic.

Mabkhout scored his second – a six-yard box side foot home - after Abdulrahman crafted another chance a minute before stoppage time.

But the Gulf ‘derby’ was played in good spirit.

Dignitaries in attendance included Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, vice-president and FIFA executive committee member and AFC vice president Moya Dodd and members of Qatar’s yet to be officially named 2022 FIFA World Cup local organising committee.

But it was evident Qatar still has some work to do to become a powerhouse at their own World Cup tournament in seven years.

The UAE dominated on a near perfect Canberra Stadium pitch, which didn’t show any ill effects of 13 hours continuous rain before kick off.

Abdulrahman, at times, looked like a world-class playmaker with a sweet left foot, an ability to turn players inside out and a burst of explosive speed, but his final pass was found wanting when UAE opened up Qatar throughout the clash.

It took nine minutes before UAE sounded a warning when Khalil did everything right - used his strength and speed to beat his immediate opponent but sprayed his shot wide of the target from seven metres.

For all of the UAE’s dominance across midfield, they were made to pay dearly in the 23rd minute after a momentary lapse in concentration when Khalfan scored.

But after UAE took control with three goals, Qatar hit back and Ismail Mohamad had UAE goalkeeper and captain Majed Naser at full stretch with a rasping drive in the 64th minute.

UAE had the final say though and could have actually won by more.

ASIAN CUP

Group C

United Arab Emirates 4 (Ahmed Khalil 38m, 52m, Ali Mabkhout 56m, 89m) Qatar (Khalfan Ibrahim 23m) 1 at Canberra Stadium - Referee: Kim Jong Hyeok (Korea Republic) - Crowd: 5513.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: United Arab Emirates turn on style to beat Qatar 4-1 at Canberra Stadium