Al Fujairah: United Arab Emirates needed a late goal to defeat India 1-0 in Group E of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers at the Fujairah Stadium on Wednesday.
Abdulla Alhammadi coolly slotted home a spot-kick with seven minutes remaining to give UAE their first victory of their qualifying campaign.
The result leaves the group finely poised with all four teams having won once each following Oman’s 1-0 victory over Kyrgyz Republic earlier on Wednesday.
India came into the tie looking to secure their second consecutive victory after having defeated Oman 2-1 while UAE were hoping to bounce back from their opening day loss to Kyrgyz Republic.
The Emiratis had the first look at goal in the ninth minute when Saeed Alkaabi tested India goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh from distance but his effort was deflected for a corner.
India came close moments later when Lalengmawia sent a clever ball to Vikram Partap Singh, whose shot was blocked by UAE defender Saeed Mubarak.
UAE almost punished India in the 34th minute but an alert Dheeraj Singh blocked Mubarak’s effort from inside the box, in what would have been a sublime team goal.
India were left disappointed in the 41st minute when Asish Rai sent a dangerous ball into the area for Rahul Praveen to net, but the goal was ruled offside.
Dheeraj Singh then kept India in the game with 15 minutes to play when he was forced at full stretch to deny Saleh’s individual effort.
UAE’s persistence finally paid off in the 81st minute after Saleh drew a foul inside the six-yard-box with Alhammadi converting the penalty.
The group concludes on Saturday with UAE playing Oman and India facing Kyrgyz Republic. -- AFC
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