UAE close in on London Olympics

Omar Abdulrahman marked his comeback to the UAE Olympic team with a match-winning performance and a timely goal that took the Whites to the brink of history and qualification for this year's London Games Out of action for almost six months because of a knee injury that required surgery and the ensuing rehabilitation period, Abdulrahman took to the field like a duck to water and wreaked havoc with his fine dribbling and passing skills. It wasn’t the best of goals, but there’s no doubt that coach Mahdi Ali and the 28,700-odd fans who turned out in force at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium would have settled for just about anything as long as it put points in the UAE bag. The UAE now face Uzbekistan, who crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat in Iraq, in a tricky final qualifying game at the Jar Stadium in Tashkent on March 14, where a draw will be sufficient to book a first ever appearance at the Summer Games. The Emirates’ bid for a spot in London had been given a shot in the arm when they were awarded full points by FIFA after its ruling which deemed Iraq had fielded an ineligible player during a match between the two Group B rivals in Al Ain on November 27. Iraq had won the match, but the UAE was later awarded a 3-0 victory and full points. On Tuesday night, the Iraqis then did the UAE a big favour by beating leaders Uzbekistan 2-1 in Doha. That result had paved the way for the Emirates to take top spot in the group, while dropping Australia to the foot, below Iraq. The Olyroos were desperate for a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive, and, accordingly, Aurelio Vidmar’s men hit the ground running. They threatened early on and came close in the 14th minute when Aaron Mooy's shot was well blocked by UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa. Eisa came good again five minutes later when he denied Oliver Bozanic with his feet from close range. Moments before Bozanic’s attempt for the Aussies, Ahmad Khalil pulled a shot wide from a promising position for the home side. Al Ahli striker Khalil was on target from a free-kick in the 22nd, but struck the crossbar. The ball was duly cleared by the Aussies, but the resulting corner helped the UAE break the deadlock. Rashed Eisa collected it just outside the area and slipped one in for Abdulrahman, who picked his spot well and scored with a shot under goalkeeper Mathew Ryan from a fairly tight angle on the left. Australia came close to equalising in the 39th minute, but Mate Dugandzic’s effort from close range crashed off the bar, while Benjamin Kantarovski, could only head the rebound straight to Eisa, who collected gratefully. The UAE could have had a second goal three minutes after the break but Rashed Eisa, released by Khalil, shot straight at ‘keeper Ryan, when he had the option to roll it right for Ahmed Ali, whose had a clear sight of goal. Khamis Ismail had a chance to double the UAE’s lead in the 57th minute, but shot lifelessly at Ryan on entering the box. There were few chances in the second period and after Ismail’s weak effort, the next opportunity went Abdulrahman’s way in the 69th. However, this time the Al Ain playmaker let it go begging with an effort that provided Ryan with mere catching practice. Substitute Haboush Saleh, who ran on for Ahmed Ali, had a shot blocked in the 70th and Ali replaced Khalil with Ali Mabkhout in the 85th, but five minutes were insufficient for the Jazira man to make an impact. In the 90th minute, the action shifted off the field in the with the Whites’ supporters delivering a live rendition of Ishy Bilady, the national anthem of the UAE. That minute-long performance matched what Mahdi Ali’s men achieved on the field throughout the evening.