Ahmed Khalil says the UAE must take whatever positives they can from their disappointing Asian Cup opener with Bahrain as they seek a rapid response against India on Thursday.
The hosts, staging the tournament for only the second time in the country's history, needed a late penalty to salvage a draw against Bahrain in Abu Dhabi on Saturday in their opening Group A game.
Their Gulf neighbours appeared poised to upset Alberto Zaccheroni's side at Zayed Sports City Stadium, taking the lead in the 78th minute through Mohammed Al Romaihi’s goal.
However, the UAE were awarded a questionable penalty three minutes from time, which substitute Khalil coolly dispatched. The match marked the striker’s 100th appearance for his national team.
“Today was more important to not lose the game,” Khalil said afterwards. “The good thing is that we came back and the more important is we have to think about next game.
“Every player feels responsible for what’s gone on today and they think about the next game and to hopefully get three points, to see the solutions to get three points.”
The UAE were forced to toil for much of Saturday's proceedings in front of more than 33,000 supporters at Zayed Sports City.
Their preparations for the Asian Cup, expanded for the first time to 24 teams, had not been ideal, with injuries to key players headlined by Omar Abdulrahman’s absence, and their struggles in front of goal.
The UAE have now scored 12 goals in 19 matches since Zaccheroni was appointed in October 2017.
Khalil denied that the burden of being hosts had affected his side, who began brightly but then created very little.
“It’s not pressure,” Khalil said. “This is the first game and this is football. Sometimes you maybe don’t play well and you win. But in the tournament you have to give the maximum, you have to fight and you have to work more.
______________
Read more on 2019 Asian Cup:
In pictures: 2019 Asian Cup gets under way with opening ceremony
Syria vs Palestine emerges as the hottest ticket
With help from diaspora, Palestinians hope for Asian Cup surprise in UAE
Download: Get your 2019 Asian Cup wallchart
Talking points: Bravo AFC, China's marathon man and wounded Australia
In pictures: Syria football team train in Sharjah ahead of 2019 Asian Cup opener
______________
“This is how we came back and we can do it for the next game: see which solutions we go for to get three points and hopefully we come back.”
Although the result was not what he wanted, Khalil will have been satisfied with his cameo performance.
Introduced with nine minutes remaining and with the UAE looked square at defeat, the forward did enough to earn what could prove to be a vital point. He dispatched his spot-kick expertly, despite there being little time left on the clock.
"No big pressure because this is penalty is not for me only," Khalil said. "It’s for all the team: they play for the penalty, for any point in the game.
"We have to work more, because sometimes the game is difficult to score and we have to get the solution as to how you score.
"But the good thing today is the penalty came at a good time, we came back and we have to continue. We have to work more."
The UAE next face India at the same venue on Thursday, with Bahrain taking on Thailand in Dubai on the same day.
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)
4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)
5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)
6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)
10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000