Bahrain overcame a nightmare start to claim a last-gasp 2-1 victory over the UAE last night and punch their tickets to the semi-finals of the 2025 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Under-23 Championship, currently being played in Muscat, Oman.
The Bahrainis conceded the game’s opening goal just seconds after kick-off following a costly error by Mahmood Abdulla.
But an equaliser from Saood Ebrahim later in the first half and then a penalty converted by Abdulrahman Al Khayyat on the stroke of full time helped lift the kingdom’s Olympic football team to the hard-earned win.
Bahrain now move on to Saturday’s last four, where they will take on the winner of the preliminary round fixture between Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The other semis contest will be between Jordan and the victor of Syria’s head-to-head with Lebanon.
The Jordanians outclassed Kuwait 2-0 in another match yesterday on the tournament’s opening night of play.
The Emiratis had a dream start in last night’s clash against Bahrain after Junior Ndiaye put them ahead moments after the opening kick.
Bahrain’s Abdulla looked to make a back pass to goalkeeper Abdulla Al Ahmed, but he sent the ball directly to Ndiaye near the Bahrainis’ penalty box and his Emirati opponent took advantage.
Ndiaye dribbled around Bahrain’s Sayed Al Moosawi and then hit a powerful left-footed effort into the top-left corner of the net, past Al Ahmed, giving the UAE the quick-fire 1-0 advantage.
But Bahrain were able to draw level in the 21st minute through Ebrahim.
He played a fine one-two with teammate Abdulla Al Subaei after stealing away possession from the Emiratis in their own half.
When he got the ball back, Ebrahim fired in from the outside edge of the six-yard box.
Both teams pressed to go ahead and the Bahrainis’ efforts were rewarded in the 89th minute when they were given a penalty after Al Subaie was brought down in the area by Solomon Sosu.
Al Khayyat stepped forward to take the spot kick, which he coolly slotted into the bottom-right corner of the net.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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