FOOTBALL – UAE emerged 2-0 winners against Qatar to get their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 campaign off to a fine start yesterday.
The result means UAE join Japan as the early pacesetters in Group B with the latter having beaten Syria 5-0 in an earlier match.
Qatar spurned the chance to take the lead as early as the third minute when Alhashmi Mohialdin’s penalty was saved by Khaled Tawhid after Mohamed Khaled had been clipped by Ali Abdulaziz in the box following a surging run from the left.
Ali Ghulais was also called into action at the other end, the UAE custodian’s outstretched leg denying Junior Ndiaye after the Montpellier forward had been put through by Ali Al Memari.
Ndiaye’s threat brought about UAE’s opener in the 21st minute when the forward’s strike from outside the box bounced off Ghulais, with the rebound smashed into the bottom corner by Al Memari.
A sweeping move in the 37th minute doubled UAE’s lead, Richard Akonnor exchanging passes with Al Memari to glide into space on the left with his cutback then swept home by Ndiaye.
Ilidio Vale rang the changes for Qatar for the start of the second half with a triple change, bringing on Moath Taha, Mobark Hamza and Rashid Al-Abdulla as the Portuguese tactician looked to find a way back into the game.
A couple of long range efforts from Qatar highlighted their improved performance with Anas Abweny and Taha forcing Tawhid to make fine saves.
Despite being put under more pressure in the second half, UAE – led by the impressive Leonard Amesimeku in defence – comfortably kept Qatar at arm’s length to claim the points.
UAE will next face Japan while Qatar take on Syria with both matches to be played on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan staved off a late fightback to defeat debutants Lebanon 3-2 in their opening tie yesterday.
Ravshan Khaydarov’s side were electric for the first 60 minutes at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium but then allowed Lebanon to pull two back.
The win, however, meant the 2018 champions lead the group by two points after South Korea and Iran drew 0-0 earlier in the day.
Lebanon had an early opportunity to take the lead when Nour Aoude delivered a tantalising cross into the box that was just inches away from Ali Kassas making the final touch at full stretch.
A moment of confusion at the back nearly cost Lebanon in the 18th minute when goalkeeper Anthony Maasry rushed out of his box but failed to make a good connection with his clearance but Asilbek Jumaev sent his lob sailing over despite a gaping goalmouth.
Uzbekistan were not to be denied six minutes later after Saidumarkhon Saidnurullayev’s powerful shot from distance was palmed by Maasry into the path of Amirbek Saidov who tucked away the rebound with ease.
Oozing confidence after the opener, Uzbekistan had chances to extend their lead, especially through Saidov who had one header saved by Maasry before blasting the ball over from close range as the Central Asian side had to contend with a slim advantage at the break.
A quick counter attack five minutes into the second half saw Uzbekistan double their advantage when Nurlan Ibraimov’s cross from the right took a deflection off Jad Smaira to catch Maasry off-guard, giving Ravshan Khayrullaev an easy tap-in.
Things got worse for Lebanon in the 57th minute when Smaira’s weak clearance off Saidnurullayev’s cross fell kindly for Sardorbek Bakhromov to smash into the top corner.
To their credit, Lebanon fought back to pull a goal back in the 65th minute when Leonardo Shahin arrived at the back post to turn in Mohamad Sadek’s teasing cross.
Shahin then thumped home a header deep into stoppage time but the goal came too late for Lebanon to rescue the tie. Uzbekistan play Iran next on Saturday with Lebanon to face South Korea.
&uuid=(email))