Canberra:The United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated Bahrain 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup after registering their second successive victory in Group C here on Thursday.
Ali Mabkhout opened the scoring after just 14 seconds, the fastest goal in the Asian tournament, after he received an accurate long pass from Omar Abdularahman, reports Xinhua. Ahmed Khalil almost extended the UAE’s lead in the 16th minute, but his powerful strike hit the left post.
Jaycee Okwunwanne equalised the score 10 minutes later as his header got the better of UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser. The UAE had more ball possession but Bahrain almost scored again in the second half with Abdulwahab Al Malood’s shot going narrowly wide.
Bahrain defender Mohamed Hasan headed in own goal in the 74th minute, handing the match and a quarter-final spot to the UAE. (IANS)
