The UAE’s quest to secure a return to the World Cup received a blow from substitute Tim Cahill’s right boot, with the veteran forward’s 48th international goal securing a tight-but-merited 1-0 win for visitors Australia on a sapping Tuesday night in the capital.
An incredible opening to the third-and-final round of qualifying had been secured with last week’s Ahmed Khalil-inspired, come-from-behind victory in Japan.
There was to be only frustration this time, although much encouragement can be gained from holding the 2015 Asian Cup winners – and the side who then easily dispatched them in the semi-finals – at arm’s length for much of this contest.
Next month’s trip to Saudi Arabia gains increasing importance. A year-long showdown between them to finish third and fight to make the inter-continental play-off looms large.
Centre-back Mohanad Salem’s loss of Cahill gave them the moment they had waited for. The 36-year-old was then perfectly placed to tap-in Bournemouth full-back Brad Smith’s inviting centre.
Stung by the concession, the UAE roused without truly threatening. A sinuous road to Russia during the next year awaits them.
TUEDAY’S OTHER RESULTS
IRAQ 1-2 SAUDI ARABIA
Nawaf Al Abed buried two penalties in the last nine minutes as Saudi Arabia came from a goal down to beat regional rivals Iraq 2-1 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
War-torn Iraq, playing their home fixture in Malaysia’s Shah Alam, struck early through Mohannad Abdul-Raheem and looked headed for victory as the clock ticked down.
But on 81 minutes, after Saad Natiq brought down Hassan Muath in the box, Abed drilled home a powerful equaliser from the spot.
And there was more to come after Abed won another penalty which he converted in the 87th minute to hand the Saudis their second win in two third-round matches so far.
The result badly dents Iraq’s chances of winning one of the two automatic berths for Russia 2018 from the six-team Group B, after they lost last week’s opener 2-0 to Australia.
CHINA 0-0 IRAN
China held heavyweights Iran to a gritty 0-0 draw to lift their hopes of reaching just their second World Cup in Asian qualifying on Tuesday.
Asia’s sleeping giants lacked ambition in the first half but they went for broke in the second in a performance that was good enough to earn their first point of the third round.
China have only ever reached one World Cup, in 2002, but qualifying for Russia 2018 would be a significant statement for a country which aims to become a global football power.
SYRIA 0-0 SOUTH KOREA
South Korea hit a speed bump in their bid to reach a 10th World Cup as they were held to a goalless draw on Tuesday against a Syrian side that is unable to play at home due to the country’s long-running, bloody conflict.
The frustrated South Koreans dominated possession during the match held in the Malaysian city of Seremban but largely failed to threaten the Syrian goal.
THAILAND 0-2 JAPAN
Takuma Asano bounced back from last week’s disallowed goal controversy as he hit Japan’s second in a 2-0 win over Thailand which reignited their World Cup qualifying bid on Tuesday.
Asano was denied a clear goal in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to UAE when officials failed to see his shot had crossed the line, but there was no doubt when he scored in Bangkok.
After Genki Haraguchi’s first-half opener, Asano squeezed his shot under goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan to give Japan a two-goal cushion on 75 minutes.
The victory restores Japan’s fortunes in Group A, where they are aiming to become one of two teams to win automatic qualification to the Russia World Cup in 2018.
QATAR 0-1 UZBEKISTAN
Egor Kremits’ 85th minute header maintained Uzbekistan’s perfect start to their campaign to qualify for Russia 2018 on Tuesday evening as the defender scored the only goal of the game and condemned Qatar to their second agonising defeat in five days.
Kremits, who missed the 1-0 win over Syria on Thursday due to suspension, made an impressive return to the starting line-up as he headed Alexander Geynrikh’s free kick from the right past Oumar Barry to move Samvel Babayan’s side on to six points from their opening two games.
The result leaves the Uzbeks on top of Group A, two points clear of Korea Republic and Iran, while Qatar have yet to pick up a point having lost to the Iranians thanks to two injury time goals on Matchday 1.
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