A rocking Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, one of the Middle East’s great football rivalries, a country’s World Cup hopes on the line - March 29, 2016 in Abu Dhabi certainly lived up to its billing.
More than 32,000 fans descended on the capital to cheer on the UAE against Saudi Arabia, familiar foes contesting the final match in the second round of qualification for Russia 2018.
Mahdi Ali's men had defeated Palestine 2-0 at the same venue five days earlier, thus keeping alive chances of progressing to the third and final round.
The Saudis topped Group A and had therefore already qualified, but the UAE knew a point would be enough to see them through as one of the best second-placed teams. Sitting directly behind their Gulf rivals in the group, a win by a two-goal margin would have even granted them top spot instead.
It did not look good after 24 minutes, though, when Saudi midfielder Taisir Al Jassim put the visitors ahead with a brilliantly struck volley. However, star man Omar Abdulrahman came to the rescue for the UAE early in the second half, receiving Ali Mabkhout’s assist and placing his powerful finish high into the Saudi net. The Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium erupted.
The UAE survived a few more scares before the final whistle blew, but held out to draw 1-1 and secure the point they needed to advance.
Ultimately, the national team came up short in their bid to reach Russia, despite opening the third round with a famous victory against Japan in Saitama. They then defeated the Saudis in a memorable match in Al Ain. Yet their wait for a second World Cup appearance, and first since 1990, goes on.
