FOOTBALL – UAE booked their place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 quarter-finals despite being held to a 1-1 stalemate by Syria yesterday.
The result saw both teams tied on four points each with UAE advancing on a superior goal difference record to set up a meeting with Vietnam on Friday.
It was a positive start to the game for both sides with UAE’s Hazim Abbas curling a free-kick just wide before Anas Dahhan found Mahmoud Alaswad in the box but the Syria captain slipped at the crucial moment and the chance was gone.
The end-to-end action continued with Ali Al Memari’s glancing header saved by Maksim Sarraf while at the other end, Dahhan’s deflected shot drew a fantastic reaction save from Khaled Tawhid.
UAE found the opener in the 23rd minute when Ahmad Faqa’s back pass to Sarraf was intercepted by Mansoor Almenhali who set up Al Memari for an easy tap-in.
Syria looked to respond - most notably through Alaswad - who weaved into the box but his low strike was read by Tawhid with the score unchanged at the half-time whistle.
A refreshed Syria appeared for the second half, Mohammad Almustafa’s 53rd minute header forcing Tawhid to make a fine save but it was only a matter of time before the equaliser came.
Two minutes after that, Syria were back on level terms with Hozan Osman’s cross from the left sidefooted home by Mahmoud Alomar.
Unfortunately for Syria, that was the best they could muster with UAE keeping them at bay for the remainder of the match to go through to the last eight.
Japan finished top of Group B after cruising 2-0 past Qatar.
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