UAE keep World Cup dream alive with 2-1 win over North Korea
Sultan Adil's 98th-minute diving header denied North Korea a hard-earned draw and took Paulo Bento's side to within four points of qualifying rivals Uzbekistan.
UAE had gone into this game as favourites and everything looked to be running to script when Fabio Lima fired them in front inside five minutes. Fabio nipped in to finish at the second attempt after some slick approach play on the left, and expectations were that more goals would follow.
Bento's team failed to build on that early lead, however, and it was no real surprise when North Korea equalised two minutes from the interval. UAE failed to defend a corner and, after Jong Hwi-Nam's initial header rebounded off the crossbar, Kim Yu-Song showed tremendous bravery to dive in amid flying boots to bundle the ball home.
North Korea continued to defend stoutly in a largely forgettable second half but, just as the final seconds were ticking down, UAE snatched victory from the jaws of a disappointing draw.
The top two teams in each group will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the third and fourth place teams will qualify for the fourth qualifying round.
In Group A, Iran is in first place with 20 points, while Uzbekistan is in second with 17 points. The UAE comes in at third with 13 points, while Qatar is currently in the fourth place with 10 points.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Pakistan won't send hockey teams to India
Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over "security" concerns, government sources told AFP on Saturday, potentially jeopardising their place in next year's World Cup. The nuclear-armed neighbours traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people. Pakistan was due to participate in the Men's Asia Cup for field hockey to be hosted by India in August and September, for which the federation had sought the government's clearance. "After the recent war the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk," said a sports ministry source, who asked not to be identified. Pakistan will also not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November, the source said. Once a force in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan has slumped to 15th in the rankings. Not featuring in the Asia Cup will likely cost Pakistan a place in next year's senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government source also confirmed the decision to AFP. Pakistan's foreign office has not responded to AFP's request for comment. Agence France-Presse
Dubai Eye
8 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
UAE's Al Mussabi wins gold at Diamond League youth race
More from Sports Italy qualify for T20 World Cup for first time Italy may have fumbled their way out of the last two football World Cup qualifying campaigns but their cricket counterparts have smashed their way into uncharted territory by booking a maiden Twenty20 World Cup berth. Crystal Palace dropped to UEFA Conference League in multi-club ownership case Premier League side Crystal Palace have been dropped in European competition to the third-tier Conference League in a multi-club ownership case, while Olympique Lyonnais will be allowed to play in the Europa League, UEFA said on Friday. Sinner demolishes Djokovic to reach first Wimbledon final Top seed Jannik Sinner ensured Novak Djokovic will be absent from a Wimbledon men's singles final for the first time in eight years after handing the Serbian great a brutal Centre Court battering on Friday. Bumrah, Archer shine in Lord's melting pot Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer took centre stage on the second day of the third test as India and England traded blows at Lord's on Friday and the match remained on a knife-edge. Alcaraz muscles past Fritz to reach Wimbledon final Twice defending champion Carlos Alcaraz tamed the towering Taylor Fritz to reach his third straight Wimbledon final, rediscovering his A-game when it mattered most to battle past the American in a 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6(6) victory on Friday.
Dubai Eye
8 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Italy qualify for T20 World Cup for first time
Italy may have fumbled their way out of the last two football World Cup qualifying campaigns but their cricket counterparts have smashed their way into uncharted territory by booking a maiden Twenty20 World Cup berth. The cricketing minnows sealed qualification for the first time ever, sneaking through the European qualifiers despite losing their final match against the Netherlands in a result that suited both teams perfectly. Italy needed only to avoid a heavy defeat to secure their historic spot thanks to a superior net run rate and that is exactly what unfolded. Setting a modest target of 135 for victory, they watched the Dutch cruise home in 16.2 overs, a margin narrow enough to send both teams through to the 2026 tournament. Scotland, veterans of six previous T20 World Cup editions, were the big losers, failing to secure their spot for the 20-team tournament, losing to Jersey who chased down 134 in a last-ball victory. But Scotland also needed Italy to win. The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with five additional qualification spots still up for grabs from Africa and the Asia-East Asian Pacific regions. TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR 2026 T20 WORLD CUP Sri Lanka (co-hosts), India (co-hosts), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy.
