ABU DHABI • Eight years ago, Japan were held 1-1 by Jordan in their first group-stage game before going on to win the Asian Cup.
Italian Alberto Zaccheroni was the coach of the Blue Samurai then and he is optimistic history will repeat itself for 2019 host the United Arab Emirates.
It was a case of deja vu for the 65-year-old as his UAE side scored a late penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw with Middle East rivals Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Substitute Ahmed Khalil smashed home his spot kick after Mohamed Marhoon handled the ball inside the penalty area, cancelling out Mohamed Al Romaihi's 78th-minute opener for Bahrain in the Group A meeting.
The late goal spared the world No. 79 the indignity of losing to a side 34 places below them in the Fifa rankings, but it would have done little to ease the pressure on Zaccheroni, who has come in for criticism throughout his time in charge of the UAE.
"When I was in charge of Japan, we ended with a draw in the first game of the 2011 Asian Cup against Jordan, then we won the tournament," said Zaccheroni. "The same scenario played out today, as we went behind.
"We had our chances but just couldn't take them. We struggled to supply the forwards at times and the players were getting a little frustrated. But we will have to deal with the pressure and be brave."
Without star playmaker Omar Abdulrahman, who was ruled out of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the UAE lacked cohesion and composure in front of goal, with striker Ali Mabkhout missing several chances. The home side paid the price for their profligacy in the 78th minute when Al Romaihi bundled home after his initial header appeared to have crossed the line.
Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh then gave the host a lifeline when he pointed to the spot five minutes from time for what appeared to be an unintentional handball by Marhoon.
Khalil, appearing in his 100th international, displayed nerves of steel to smash the spot kick into the top corner.
Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup refused to criticise the referee after the late setback.
"You could maybe say it was hard luck," said the Czech. "I didn't see it and I haven't seen the video, but the players were saying it wasn't a deliberate handball - so it's bad luck.
In another Group A match yesterday, Thailand lost 4-1 to India.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday (March
Manchester United 2-1 Watford: Rashford and Martial give
Sergio Aguero hat-trick fires Manchester City to 3-1 win over
May 17, 2015 - Destiny Beckons On Senator Bukola Saraki As Next Senate President The National Youths Mobilizer and APC Supporters' Group which comprises of Mallam Muhammed Mudi, Mr. Abdul, Jamiul and Mr. Lawal in a joint statement have endorsed and throw their weight behind the emergence of Senator Saraki bids for Senate President seat.
Gotham Hearts Chapter 18: Destiny Beckons, a Batman - FanFiction
Advertisement MUNICH, Apr 25: Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-2 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday to advance to the German Cup final for the second straight year and keep the domestic league and cup double firmly in their sights.
Football: Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in
PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday (March 15).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's fighting spirit as he sets points target for title. Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool's fighting spirit after they recovered from a goal down to beat Southampton and
Messi is unstoppable, Klopp hails Messi - Punch Newspapers
Football: The great comebacks in Champions League history
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Liverpool's Klopp condemns 'disgusting' Salah abuse ahead of Chelsea clash. A video circulated on social media ahead of Chelsea's Europa League match at Slavia Prague this week showed a group of
Klopp condemns 'disgusting' Salah abuse ahead of Chelsea
Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol Sport > Football > C1 > Psg > Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 9 May 2019 at 0h05 BST .
Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol - World
Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury setback ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game at Liverpool
barcelona: Makeshift Barcelona side beaten at Celta Vigo
LONDON: The English Football Association (FA) has charged Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino with improper conduct for confronting the referee after Saturday's shock 2-1 Premier League
Football: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino charged for improper
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Player Ratings as Kante strike scrapes three points The home side weren't far away from edging a point for themselves N'Golo Kante celebrates after netting the game
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea: N'Golo Kante's goal sees off poor
The latter hit the winner in the Bhoy's 2-0 win over Kilmarnock last time out and will be looking to add to his tally and fire his side to SPL glory. Punters looking to back Celtic all the way would see £79.06 returns off a £10 bet on the Hoops to both win the second half in the match against Hearts and go on to lift the SPL trophy.
Sportpesa Premier League - spl.co.ke
Valencia will face Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey after a 1-0 second-leg win over Real Betis secured a 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory. Rodrigo Moreno's goal early in the second half
Copa del Rey Final - LIVE! Barcelona vs Valencia
0 comments:
Post a Comment