The Shah Alam Stadium has a special effect on Omar Abdulrahman. Good reason, too.
Without his inspiration on Tuesday, critical points could have been lost again by the UAE in their long quest to make the 2018 World Cup.
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His 22nd-minute opener during an underwhelming 2-1 win against Malaysia drew the breath, perfect technique sending the ball screaming into the top corner. The Al Ain playmaker’s second-half assist was almost as spectacular, picking out captain Ahmed Khalil’s run with an inspired flick from the outside of his left boot.
Such a story appeared in the opening second-round commitment in the AFC process. Then, a 30-yard strike with only 10 minutes left on the clock secured a 1-0 triumph against minnows Timor-Leste during a match switched to the East Asian nation because of infrastructure problems.
#AFC #WCQ GROUP A That win gives Saudi Arabia a 6pt lead over UAE (soon to face Malaysia) https://t.co/J5PaAyXmIl pic.twitter.com/InZyJOsJR0
— FIFAWorldCup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 17, 2015
The 24-year-old’s ingenuity was necessary. A poor away performance – against a side humbled 10-0 in Abu Dhabi – was produced once more in a fitful Group A-campaign, centre mifielder Baddrol Bakhtiar’s bullet header in reply on 59 minutes causing panic.
The nation will turn to their curly-haired superstar again in 2016, must-win tests to come in the capital against third-placed Palestine and Group A leaders Saudi Arabia. The hard work remains in second, with only the table toppers and four-best runners-up guaranteed progression to the third round.
The drab first half was non-event, Omar Abdulrahman’s moment of genius aside. This provided a fitting spectacle in front of an empty ground, courtesy of Malaysia’s stadium ban incurred for rioting against Saudi Arabia.
With their esteemed visitors frustratingly wasteful in the final third, only scraps were left to feed on. Two lofted crosses caused alarm, Al Jazira danger man Ali Mabkhout coming closest to his sixth strike during the international break as his snap half-volley was blocked close to goal.
Our National Team #UAE beat Malaysia 2 – 1 in #WC2018 qualifiers. #alainfc #منصور_يالابيض pic.twitter.com/QOgyOP2LJb
— Al Ain FC – EN (@alainfcae_en) November 17, 2015
A spectacular intervention was required to break the deadlock. As ever, Omar Abdulrahman – who was suspended for Thursday’s 8-0 thrashing of Timor-Leste – was prepared to provide it.
Only a select few players in the AFC process could have conjured the opener. Right-back Abdulaziz Haikal harried opposite number Azamuddin Akil into a mistake in the corner, the ball ending up with the star of the 2015 Asian Cup.
Others would have pinged in a cross, eschewing the audacious option. Instead, the 24-year-old opened up his body and whipped in a lethal curled effort.
A stale meeting was lifted again on 52 minutes, a breathtaking lofted ball allowing Al Ahli forward Khalil to round the goalkeeper for his 10th strike of an outstanding campaign.
Congratulations to the UAE National Team for the victory against Malaysia in the joint World Cup 2018/Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers #WCQ
— Arabian Gulf League (@AGLeague) November 17, 2015
There was little time to enjoy a two-goal margin. Al Ain left-back Mohammed Fayez’s clumsy foul on winger Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor allowed captain Safiq Rahim to whip in a devilish free-kick, Bakhtiar’s emphatic connection leaving shot stopper Khalid Essa with no chance.
Experienced gained from the London 2012 Olympics, 2013 Gulf Cup triumph and run to third in January’s Asian Cup then came to the fore as Malaysia were held off with sterile possession. Much more will be needed in the defining challenges to come.
