The UAE and Jordan played out a goalless at Grand Hamad stadium in Doha in the 2016 AFC U23 Championship on Sunday night to leave both teams on four points at the top of the table.
The UAE received a blow when coach Abdullah Misfir was taken to hospital before the match, but he was later discharged. The result would have pleased the Emiratis, who play Vietnam in their final match, more than the Jordanians who must now avoid defeat to Australia.
The UAE started the match on the attack and could have scored in the fifth minute when Mohammed Al Akberi’s vicious volley was saved by Noureddin Ateyah in the Jordan goal. Three minutes later, the UAE had an even better chance when Al Akberi’s brilliant long pass was wasted by Abdullah Kazim when it looked easier to score.
Jordan, backed by a considerable crowd, came back into the match and had long periods of possession without ever troubling Mohammed Busandah. Misfir had revealed that against Australia the plan was to get to half-time on level terms before taking the game to the opposition and it looked like the UAE were again following that blueprint again.
On 57 minutes, Walid Anbar and Ahmed Al Attas, the two players who transformed the UAE’s performance when they came on against Australia, were once again introduced, replacing Kazim and Sultan Saif.
On 67 minutes Jordan produced their best moment of the half yet, the excellent Baha Faisal’s shot saved by the stretching Busandah. Five minutes later, Al Attas came within a whisker of giving the UAE the lead but shot agonisingly wide.
Both teams pressed for a winner but there would be no late drama, with the draw putting the UAE in pole position to win the group though they stay in second place behind Jordan on goal difference.
In the earlier match Australia beat Vietnam 2-0 with goals from James Donachie and Jamie MacLaren to put them temporarily in second place on goal difference ahead of the UAE.
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