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
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.
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw | Aaj News
Football: Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis LONDON (REUTERS) - Tottenham Hotspur gained revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned a 2-0 victory on Wednesday (Dec 19) to put them into the League Cup semi-finals.
Eden Hazard can leave Chelsea if he wants, says manager Maurizio Sarri Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to Spanish side Real Madrid in recent months and the Belgium international had said
Eden Hazard should leave Chelsea if he wants, says Maurizio
Bournemouth execute game plan to perfection in win at Chelsea LONDON, England -- Three thoughts from Bournemouth's 1-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge against struggling Chelsea. 1.
Chelsea game a must-win for Man Utd - Neville - goal.com
Pele will have an operation to remove a 'ureteral stone,' his doctors said Wednesday, a day after the football great returned to Brazil following treatment in a Paris hospital for an infection. The 78-year-old was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo for more tests after arriving in
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil » Manila
'Happy' Morata slays Malta. Spain striker Alvaro Morata (in white) playing the ball past Malta defender Zach Muscat to score during the Euro 2020 Group F victory on Tuesday. He also netted the
Latest EUROPEAN FOOTBALL | The Straits Times
Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a win against Leicester at King Power Stadium. Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League safety
Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League safety
Leicester City are prepared to wait until the summer to hire Brendan Rodgers as Claude Puel's successor, reports the Guardian's Paul Doyle.Puel was sacked as Foxes manager on Sunday following the
Rodgers tops Leicester City wish-list as Puel battles to keep job
Paris: Edinson Cavani is a major doubt for Paris St Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United after picking up a thigh injury in his team's 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Girondins de
PSG's Edinson Cavani Doubtful for Man United Game - News18
FA Cup 2019: Manchester City set to face Watford in final at Wembley Stadium semifinal, Watford rallied for two goals down to beat Wolves 3-2 in extra time. After goals from Matt Doherty and
FA Cup semi final draw recap: Man City, Wolves, Brighton and
However Pochettino went on to distance himself from the rumours, more or less re-affirming his commitment to Spurs by saying: "I have just signed a long contract with Tottenham and I am very happy here." There was rumour that Pochettino's contract with Spurs included a clause that would allow him to leave in the instance of an offer from
Pochettino happy at Spurs but would `have to listen´ to
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee appointed as
Football: Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. "Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But
'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Barcelona put one hand on La Liga title after edging past Sociedad Barca lead the standings on 77 points after 33 games, comfortably clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid who won 1-0 at
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
0 comments:
Post a Comment