Striker Ahmed Khalil converted an extra-time penalty on Monday to send the United Arab Emirates into the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Kyrgyzstan, keeping alive their hopes of landing the continental title on home soil.
The substitute’s 102nd minute spot kick had enough power to find the net, despite goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov getting a hand on it, and set up a last-eight meeting with holders Australia in a rematch of the 2015 semi-final.
After a goal from Khamis Esmaeel was cancelled out by Kyrgyzstan’s Mirlan Murzaev, it looked like Ali Mabkhout’s 64th minute strike was going to settle the match for the hosts until Tursunali Rustamov’s dramatic stoppage-time equalizer.
Photo: EPA-EFE
A small 17,784 crowd turned out on an unusually cool evening in the Emirati capital, but the vast Zayed Sports City arena was brought to life in the 14th minute when the hosts took the lead.
Ismail Matar swung a corner into the box, defender Khalifa Mubarak rose and headed the ball goalward, and Esmaeel nodded it home.
Kyrgyzstan were level 12 minutes later when Akhlidin Israilov’s pass put Murzaev through on goal, and he took one touch to control the ball and another to take him past the goalkeeper before slotting it into the net from a wide angle.
The United Arab Emirates’ usually reliable Mabkhout headed wide from three meters a minute after halftime.
However, he made amends with his eighth Asian Cup goal after the hour mark, needing one touch to control Amer Abdulrahman’s pass before rifling the ball into the net.
Kyrgyzstan defender Tamirlan Kozubaev should have equalized seven minutes later, but he somehow steered his shot wide from point-blank range, although the Central Asians would not be denied and finally leveled from a stoppage-time corner.
Rustamov was gifted an extraordinary amount of space inside the six-yard box and the midfielder made no mistake with his header to send the match into extra time.
The home side made the brighter start to the extra period and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot when Mabkhout fell under a challenge from Bekzhan Sagynbaev, leaving Khalil to put away the penalty.
Kyrgyzstan then twice hit the woodwork, but to the host nation’s relief, they were unable to snatch a third equalizer.
In Monday’s other matches, it was:
‧ Iran 2, Oman 0
‧ Japan 1, Saudi Arabia 0
‧ Australia 1, Uzbekistan 0
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely