FOOTBALL – THE Fifa Arab Cup quarter-finals concluded yesterday with Jordan edging Iraq and the UAE defeating defending champions Algeria on penalties.
Jordan have become the latest nation to book a berth in the semi-finals as they edged Iraq 1-0. Ali Olwan’s first-half penalty proved the difference as he maintained a remarkable record of scoring from the spot in each of Jordan’s four matches at the tournament.
Later in the evening, the UAE completed the final four line-up when they defeated defending champions Algeria 7-6 in a sudden-death penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw during regulation.
Jordan’s goal came late in an opening term that produced almost no other chances of note, despite Jordan having the better of the play, although they did lose star forward Yazan Al Naimat to an early knee injury.
After the break, Iraq’s talisman Ali Jasim started to see far more of the ball and his team looked far better for it. Twice the dazzling winger came close midway through the half, the first a rasping effort from distance and the second a driven shot; both producing smart saves from Yazeed Abulaila.
Jordan’s Mohannad Abu Taha has already scored one spectacular long-range effort at the tournament and came close to producing another late on as Jordan saw out the narrow win to book a last four date with Saudi Arabia.
Richard Akonnor proved the hero as the UAE ended Algeria’s reign as champions and set up a mouthwatering semi-final with Morocco after holding their nerve in the penalty shootout.
In an opening half they dominated, Algeria twice put the ball into the net but on both occasions the efforts were ruled out by the officials. The Fennecs needed just 50 seconds to open the deadlock after the break, though, when a powerful strike from Yacine Brahimi rebounded back into the path of Adil Boulbina who struck home in style.
UAE had struggled to make much of an impact in the game but they soon equalised when Bruno converted an inswinging left-wing cross from Yahya Al Ghassani from close range.
The penalty shootout went to sudden death and, after UAE stopper Hamad Almeqbaali saved Mohamed Khacef’s effort, Akonnor stepped up and sent UAE into the semi-finals with an emphatic effort.
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