Saudi Arabia hold UAE

2017-12-25 04:48:52

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Poor finishing saw the UAE sharing the spoils with a second-string Saudi Arabia in the 23rd Gulf Cup being played at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait on Monday.

The Whites, trained by Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, were robbed twice by poor referring. First Mohammed Barqesh's shot from a narrow angle hit Saudi defender Mohammed Khabrani's outstretched right hand but the referee failed to notice and only gave corner instead of a spot kick.

Then soon after resumption in second half, Ahmed Mabkhout was tripped inside the box by Saudi defender Salem Saeed. The referee ignored the minimum contact instead signaling at the spot kick. Thus at least on two occasions, the UAE team must have felt they were treated unjustly when they could have penalties.

Mabkhout also fluffed two chances early in the first half. In the eighth minute he was put through by Mohammed Fauwzi but with open goal in front of him he shot wide off the target. Soon after that miss, the Al Jazira striker saw his volley from inside the area blocked by the Saudi keeper Assaf Al Qarni.

Zaccheroni played almost the same squad that beat Oman in the first match. He also continued with the 3-4-3 formation, which the Whites are not used to. However, credit must be given to the strong UAE defence and the goal keeper Khalid Essa, who denied Ali Nemer. The Saudi forward had sneaked past two UAE defenders and tried to scoop it over advancing Khalid but the keeper managed to tip it over the bar after 36 minute.

The seasoned UAE, after dominating the first quarter of the game, conceded some grounds to their inexperienced Saudi rivals but the defence stood rock-solid to deny the Saudis any inroads.

Both the teams are equal with four points from two matches in Group A but the Saudis have inched ahead due to their better goal difference. They had scored two goals against Kuwait in 2-1 win while the UAE won 1-0 against Oman.

Top two teams from each group qualify for the semifinals.

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