UAE Stuns Qatar with a Second-Half Comeback to Win 3-1 in AFC World Cup Qualification
It was a pulsating AFC World Cup Qualification match on September 5, 2024, but the United Arab Emirates piped Qatar 3-1 coming from behind. The match was staged in Qatar, with the host taking a first-half lead through Ibrahim Al-Hassan’s goal, but a determined UAE side turned it around with second-half goals by Hareb Abdalla Suhail, Khalid Aldhanahni, and Ali Saleh managing to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
First Half: Qatar Opens the Account
The first half saw both teams get on the pitch with high intensity in mind. Playing at home, Qatar seemed to come out more energetic and keen on keeping the pace of the game alive. The early tussles saw both teams create half-chances before Qatar hit first in the 38th minute.
Ibrahim Al-Hassan was Qatar’s best player, getting into a fantastic run into the box and latching onto a well-timed pass from Akram Afif. Keeping his cool, Al-Hassan calmly slotted the ball past UAE goalkeeper Mohammed Al Baloushi to give Qatar the lead. The home crowd went into raptures, and the Qataris looked in control heading into halftime.
Despite carrying the lead, Qatar had to endure the UAE’s pressing attacks in latter stages of the half. Yousuf Al Ghassani from UAE was yellow-carded in the 44 minutes for a late challenge as the temperature of the game went up. But despite UAE pressure, Qatar managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead at first-half close.
Second Half: UAE Stages Miraculous Comeback
The second half started with UAE showing fresh urgency. Whatever coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena had said in the team talk at the half-time break, it surely worked as UAE players were coming with renewed intent in attack. And their efforts paid dividends in the 68th minute as visitors drew level through Hareb Abdalla Suhail. Sure enough, Suhail’s goal was nicely orchestrated by his team, slotting clinically inside the box to make it 1-1.
The equalizer gave UAE apparent momentum as they continued to press for a second goal. In the 80 minutes of the game, Khalid Aldhanhani gave UAE the lead. A good counter-attacking move out of nowhere caused Qatar’s back line to be out of position; Aldhanhani was at the right place at the right time to nod the ball into the net, giving UAE a 2-1 advantage.
At this point, needing to get back into the game desperately, Qatar made a number of substitutions, introducing Mohammed Waad and Karim Boudiaf into the midfield in a bid to add firepower. However, the UAE’s defense was well-marshalled by the impressive goalkeeper Mohammed Al Baloushi as they repelled the Qatari onslaughts.
Late Drama: UAE Seals the Win
The last minutes of the game saw Qatar throw everything forward in search of a goal to make it all square once again. A couple of instances saw the home side come close, but UAE’s defense remained resolute. In the 90′, UAE’s Ali Saleh put the result beyond doubt with the third goal of the match. The striker was through on goal, one-on-one with Qatar’s keeper Meshaal Barsham to round him and make it 3-1 after a brief breather.
This was an excellent performance from UAE, who indeed manifested great character to come from behind and ensured that they got all three points. Their stoppage-time goal set off crazed celebrations on the UAE bench because they knew this victory would boost their chances of advancing in the campaign of World Cup qualification.
Key Performance: Star Players Shine For UAE
A few stole the limelight in this incredible comeback win for the UAE. The equaliser by Hareb Abdalla Suhail turned out to be the turning point of the match, while Khalid Aldhanhani’s header gave them an important lead. Ali Saleh’s cool head in front of the goal to net the third capped off a fine individual performance.
In goal, UAE goalkeeper Mohammed Al Baloushi was brilliant all afternoon, making crucial saves throughout the match. He marshaled the back four as UAE repelled Qatar’s attacks in the latter stages of the match.
Ibrahim Al-Hassan was the most catching player in the Qatari camp as he opened the scoring and created different opportunities, but they didn’t keep their usual solidity at the back for much of the second half of the match.
Missing Chances by Qatar
Thrice, starting brightly and taking the lead, Qatar failed to capitalize on those opportunities, which ultimately proved costly. Chances were there in the first half for Qatar to make it two-nil, but their forwards could not find the back of the net. Meshaal Barsham, the goalkeeper of Qatar, also made some important saves on, but he finally was unable to hold those three UAE goals.
The second half, though saw Qatar’s frailties at the back exposed as the side really struggled to cope with UAE’s pace and counter-attacks. Issues that Queiroz will need to work on in training if Qatar is to bounce back in the next round of matches.
What This Win Means for UAE
This is the most significant boost for UAE’s World Cup qualification hopes. Three points lift them higher in the qualification standings, and the team will be confident coming into their next match. Coming from behind, winning away from home, shows the resilience and fighting spirit of UAE.
This no doubt will go down well with Coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena, especially the way his charges managed to dig deep when a goal down. The UAE can keep up the same intensity and determination; they are in a very good position in terms of going further in the qualification campaign.
Conclusion: UAE Takes Control in AFC World Cup Qualification
A thrilling 3-1 victory by UAE, hard fought with Qatar, kept intact the dream of UAE in the World Cup. Second-half goals from Hareb Abdalla Suhail, Khalid Aldhanhani, and Ali Saleh saw them come back from behind in the first half.
This is a loss for Qatar, some sort of defeat. They may, however, still turn things around in these coming matches. This being the case, both teams go back to preparation for their next fixtures: UAE to sustain this momentum, and Qatar to overcome this disappointing result.
Read more about related articles, just click here
