UAE edged out by Jordan at Asian Games, still safe for knockout round

The UAE’s hopes of topping Group G at the Asian Games took a nosedive after a 1-0 defeat to Jordan on Thursday.

The silver medallists in China four years ago conceded an own goal in the first half and then had to play the entire second period with 10 players.

Mohammed Darwish sent a cross from Yousef Thalji to his own net after just eight minutes.

Waleed Al Mazrouei was then sent off for his second bookable offence minute before half time.

Al Mazrouei was booked by the South Korean referee Ko Hyung-jin for dissent and then a minute later he was given the marching orders when he trod on Awad Saleh.

Jordan went on the offensive from the word go and were rewarded.

They could have doubled their lead had it not been for Saif Al Maqbaali, the Emirati defender who made a reflex block to deny Laith Al Basthawi from scoring with goalkeeper Ahmed Shambih out of position.

The UAE too had their chances. The Jordanian keeper Mohammed Abunabhan made an excellent diving save to push out a curling shot from Al Wahda’s Saeed Al Kathiri while substitute Mohammed Al Khoori was unlucky to hit the post late on.

The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 16.

The UAE are almost certain to qualify from the three-team Group G after their 5-0 win over India, who play Jordan on Monday.

The only way they can go out is if India beat Jordan 5-0.

Iran’s surprise draw in Group H means the UAE will likely face either Vietnam or Kyrgyzstan in the last 16.

UAE edged out by Jordan at Asian Games, still safe for knockout round

Jordan's 1-0 defeat of the UAE in the Asian Games on Thursday means a likely second-place finish in their group for the Emiratis, but still safe passage to the knockout round.