All around the media tribune there was applause. Some reporters laughed, others shrugged their shoulders incredulously. Omar Abdulrahman had just produced a “Panenka” penalty in a penalty shootout of their Asian Cup quarter-final against Japan.
The UAE’s star man, who had taken the competition in Australia by storm, followed Keisuke Honda’s missed penalty with an audacious chip straight down the middle of the goal to set the UAE on the way to a victory over the holders.
It was an unforgettable moment, a momentous day in the history of Emirati football.
The UAE squad arrived at Stadium Australia in Sydney in sombre mood back in January. The players had agreed among themselves that, should they score, there will be no wild celebrations as a sign of respect for the passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia earlier that day.
Read more: Amoory, Al Ahli and Asian excellence: John McAuley reviews the year in UAE football
They had to restrain themselves earlier than expected as they got off to a dream start, Ali Mabkhout scoring a sensational volley – his fourth of five Golden Boot-winning goals – to give the UAE the lead after only seven minutes.
It was a lead they had to defend desperately as the match wore on. Marshalled by the outstanding Muhanad Salem, the UAE defence performed magnificently and came within sight of a most unlikely clean sheet and victory.
Then, with nine minutes of normal time left, Japan equalised through substitute Gaku Shibasaki, and suddenly there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome. Japan had the momentum, and few of us could see the UAE holding out until full time, never mind through a further 30 minutes of extra time.
But the extra period saw the UAE team at their most heroic, and most tactically professional.
Also see: Ali Khaled's report from Australia back in January, when the UAE reached the Asian Cup semi-finals
Cross after cross came into keeper Majed Naser’s penalty area and time and again the defence held firm. Salem had the match of his life, winning everything in the air and throwing himself in front of every goal-bound shot. Around him, Mohammed Ahmed, Abdulaziz Haikal and Abdelaziz Sanqour, all trusted lieutenants of manager Mahdi Ali, were no less resilient.
Then came the penalty shootout and Abdulrahman’s moment of genius. He kissed the turf in gratitude, and minutes later, despite the players’ earlier pact, there was an explosion of joy when Ismail Ahmed’s spot-kick sent the UAE to the semi-finals.
Mahdi Ali, his players and his staff linked arms and sang the national anthem at the small but hardy group of supporters that had travelled from the Emirates. As the television cameras zoomed in on a weeping Adnan Al Talyani, the UAE’s greatest player, the perfect night was complete.
In the post-match news conference, man of the match Salem and Mahdi Ali could barely contain their joy, openly embracing the travelling media corps from the Emirates.
In the mix zone, emotions ran high. Everybody, especially the English-speaking media, wanted a piece of Abdulrahman. Mabkhout spoke of national pride. Al Talyani blew kisses as he boarded the team bus. And Mahdi Ali was at his relaxed, brilliant best.
“It was a fantastic penalty,” the manager said, as his player joked and laughed behind him. “As it was the first penalty, it made the spirit of the Japan goalkeeper drop. We are very happy with this fantastic goal, but I told him not to do it again because my heart cannot take it.”
On the day of one of UAE’s most famous victories, Abdulrahman had made the footballing world stand up and take notice.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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