DUBAI: UAE needed a late goal to defeat India 1-0 in Group E of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers at the Fujairah Stadium yesterday.
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 yesterday.
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’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.
Kuwait took a positive step forward in their qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bangladesh at the Jar Stadium.
Yousef Alrasheedi scored the only goal of the game with a delightful lob to give Kuwait the three points. The result means Kuwait lead the standings with a crunch match up next against Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with the 2020 runners-up having played to a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan - who are playing in the qualifiers for exposure ahead of hosting the tournament next year.