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
Neil Warnock says Emiliano Sala tragedy most difficult week
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex The Independent June 2, 2019 SPORTS Leave a comment Liverpool's coach Jurgen Klopp is thrown into the air by players after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex
Pochettino wants Tottenham to be 'brave and aggressive' against Juve Published: 14:53 EST, 1 Skip navigation Spurs are back at this stage of the Champions League for the first time since
Pochettino wants Spurs and Levy to be 'brave' going forward
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against at the Camp Nou after drawing Barcelona on Friday. United were originally drawn to play at Barcelona in the first leg, which would have given them the safety net of playing the decisive return at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer: United don't fear Camp Nou test - Daily Nation
Maurizio Sarri insists Chelsea can still finish in the Premier League's top four after Eden Hazard's late strike rescued a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday. Sarri's side were seconds away from
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw - Page 2 of 2
A quiet first 60 minutes gave way to a big German goal vs. China in the two teams' opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup™. Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China | 2019
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany over against China at Women's World
Clearly, the pace has changed for the Lakers. After saying last summer the Lakers are intent on building a team that will be a contender for years and not just in the short term, team president
LeBron James-Less Lakers Compete, But Jazz End Two-Game
LONDON: Son Heung-min once again proved there is more to Tottenham Hotspur than Harry Kane as the South Korean's late goal secured a 1-0 home win over Manchester City in an absorbing Champions
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours AFP January 12, 2019, 8:26 PM UTC Willian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours - World
Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up Share 0. Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April
WRAPUP 2-Soccer-Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win 19/04/2019 Oman Observer VALENCIA: Valencia eased into the Europa League semifinals for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spaniards Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia vs. Villarreal - Football Match Report - April 19
tv5.espn.com/football/report?gameId=538709
Valencia eased into the semifinals of the Europa League for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spanish side Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win - Reuters
Vow of 'continued success' - theworldnews.net
Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap. 2019-02-07 20:08 Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association for improper conduct after
Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap
Atletico Madrid beat Valencia, delaying Barcelona's eight La Liga title in 11 years. David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images Alvaro Morata put Atletico ahead on a rain-swept evening in the ninth minute by knocking a cross in from close range on the volley but Valencia equalised in the 36th through former Atletico forward Kevin Gameiro .
Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid - BBC Sport
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focussed 12/29/2018 Tell your friends. Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the
Sport24.co.za | Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused
0 comments:
Post a Comment