Mohammed, Mabkhout score as UAE rally to beat S.Arabia

Abu Dhabi: Hosts UAE came from behind to get the better of Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a friendly at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

After Abdulfattah Mohamed Adam put the Saudis in the front in the 18th minute of the game, goals by Bandar Mohammed in the 54th minute and by Ali Ahmed Mabkhout in the 63rd minute, gave UAE the win.

Earlier, the UAE began on an attacking note, forcing a corner in the very first minute of the game, which, however, they failed to convert.

In the fourth minute, Saudi’s Abdullah Al Shamekh’s left-footed shot from outside the box missed the right.

This followed another right-footed Saudi goal attempt in the seventh minute by Hassan Al Habib from outside the box, which was saved by the UAE keeper Khalid Eisa.

A minute earlier, the UAE team let a corner go abegging. The Saudi team returned the favour in the 15th minute, missing their chance from their flag kick.

In the 17th minute, Saudi Arabia had their best chance thus far, when a left-footed attempt by Ahmad Zain from the centre of the box was blocked.

Two corners immediately followed, the first conceded by the UAE’s Alhusain Saleh. Off the second, conceded by Bandar Al Ahbabi in the 18th minute, Abdulfattah Adam’s right footed shot from the centre of the box crashed into the bottom left corner giving the Saudis the lead.

The match thereafter, was restricted to the midfield action.

In the 26th minute, following a set-piece situation, a Khalfan Mubarak pass went to Ali Mabkhout, who had a great chance to equalise. However, his right-footed shot from the centre of the box hit the crossbar.

Saudi Arabia missed a half chance to go further ahead in the 39th minute of the game, but a header from the centre of the box, off a free-kick, sailed over.

Then in the 45th minute, Mabkhout’s right-footed shot from more than 35 yards, off a Saif Rashid assist, was saved in the centre of the goal.

The first half ended with Saudi Arabia leading by a solitary goal.

At the change of ends, the UAE effected three substitutions.

Abdalla Al Naqbi came in place of Habib Al Fardan, Salim Rashid replaced Suhail Al Noubi and Shahin Abdulrahman gave way to Mubarak Saeed.

UAE got a chance in the 52nd minute of the game but Mabkhout’s right- footed shot from more than 35 yards was saved.

This was followed by a corner for the UAE, conceded by Mustafa Malaika, which the Emiratis failed to capitalise on.

The UAE were applying quite a bit of pressure during this period. In the very next minute, Khaflan’s left-footed shot from outside the box was saved in the bottom right corner.

The UAE pressure finally paid dividends in the form of a goal in the 54th minute. Bandar Al Ahbabi’s right-footed shot from the centre of the box flies into the bottom right corner of the Saudi net. The score now is 1-1.

Saudi Arabia effected a substitution in the 58th minute, bringing on Rabeaa Sefiani in place of Hassan Al Habib.

Two minutes later, the Saudi’s get a corner chance, conceded by Abdullah Ghanem, which they are not able to score off.

Ali Hazzazi of Saudi Arabia is shown the yellow card for a bad foul in the 62nd minute. UAE in the meanwhile replace Saif Rashid with Rayan Yaslam.

In the very next minute, the 63rd, Mabkhout puts the hosts ahead when his header from very close range goes into the bottom right corner of the Saudi net. The assist was provided by Mubarak following a set piece situation.

In the 66th minute, the Saudis substitute Ahmad Zain with Sultan Mandash.

Immediately in the 67th minute, Saudi miss a chance to equalize when an attempt by Sultan Mandash, off his right foot, misses the right.

A 71st minute corner earned by Saudi Arabia, given away by Ghanem, goes wasted.

This follows another Saudi substitution, Faris Alayaf replacing Abdulfattah Adam.

A 75th minute Saudi left-footed  attempt by Madallah Al Olayan from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

A corner in the very next minute for the Saudis, again conceded by Ghanem, is wasted.

The UAE bring in Mansor Abbas in place of Mubarak in the 77th minute. The match ends 2-1 in favour of the Whites.