UAE escape with point against Palestine in Asian Cup after Khalifa Al Hammadi red card

A 10-man UAE managed to escape with a point on Thursday night in their second Group C assignment at the Asian Cup, when they held Palestine to a 1-1 draw in Qatar.

Paulo Bento’s side, who opened the campaign with Sunday’s 3-1 win against Hong Kong, had gone 1-0 up at Al Janoub Stadium, thanks to 19-year-old striker Sultan Adil’s second goal in two games.

However, UAE defender Khalifa Al Hammadi was shown a straight red card on 39 minutes having given away a penalty – only for goalkeeper Khalid Essa to save Tamer Seyam’s spot-kick.

Palestine, searching for a first win at an Asian Cup and a rebound from their opening group defeat to Iran, did restore parity five minutes into the second half. It did not come from a player in Palestine red, however; UAE defender Bader Nasser nodded into his own net.

Bento, who was booked late in the first half, appeared to be sent to the stands late on.

With Iran and Hong Kong playing on Friday, the draw leaves each of the four teams in Group C with a chance at making the last 16.

On Thursday, as the rain fell initially in Al Wakrah, the UAE got off to a great start, seizing the lead midway through the first half. In the 23rd minute, Al Hammadi won back possession in the middle of the pitch, surged forward and found Ali Saleh on the right.

The Al Wasl captain, one of three changes in Paulo Bento’s starting XI, whipped a delicious cross to the back post, leaving Adil peeled from his marker to head home.

FT |