AFC Asian Cup Day 10 Recap: UAE & Thailand progress to Round of 16

Bahrain remain in contention to make it to the knockout rounds of the tournament after finishing third in Group A.

The final round of group fixtures began with a double-header in Group A. All four teams in the group had a chance to qualify before the matches started. India took on Bahrain in a must-win match for the West Asian side, while the UAE and Thailand faced each other, with the former aiming for the top spot and the latter hoping to progress.

The match at Al-Sharjah Stadium had all the signs of a thriller written on it. India needed only a point to make sure of their qualification to the knockout rounds, while Bahrain needed all three to progress. Bahrain started the match with the intention to take the game to India and push for qualification. Their cause was furthered when Indian center-back Anas Edathodika, who started the first two matches, was forced off with an injury.

Watch: India 0-1 Bahrain highlights

Bahrain dominated the proceedings early in the first half, with Komail Alsawad and Sayed Saeed testing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with shots from outside the box. However, as the half wore on the match became scrappy, with both teams resorting to long balls to create attacks. Sandesh Jhingan was rock-solid in the second half, preventing Ali Madan and Mohammed Marzooq from causing any real damage. India came close through Holicharan Narzary, who hit the side netting from a tight angle. The first half ended with both sides failing to find the back of the net.

The second saw a rejuvenated Bahrain and a visibly exhausted India. The Blue Tigers failed to create anything significant during the early stages and Bahrain grew in confidence as the game went on. The Reds constantly threatened the Indian goal and required a classy performance from custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to keep Bahrain from taking the lead.

The Reds were as threatening as ever from set-pieces and Sandhu was called into action several times. He kept out Alsawad’s and Abdulla Yusuf’s long-range shots, before preventing a header with a scintillating save. Sayed Redha Isa also hit the post for the West Asian side after a brilliant set-piece.  

However, things turned sour quickly for India, when Hamed Alshamsan was fouled inside the box by Pronay Halder in the 89th minute. Jamal Rashed placed the penalty right through the middle with the diving Gurpreet standing no chance. Bahrain held on to their precious advantage to qualify to the knockouts, while India’s tournament came to an abrupt and devastating end.

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The United Arab Emirates took on Thailand at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in the second match of the day. The Whites were hoping to ride on home support and the impressive win over India to get past the Thai challenge.

They started the match well, with in-form striker Ali Ahmed Mabkhout finding the net with a close range header after a favourable rebound off the post. The War Elephants then increased their efforts, with Adisak Kraisron coming close with a shot that was well saved by Khalid Eisa. The Thai pressure finally paid off after a defensive error allowed Thtithipan to get free in front of goal. His first effort was well-saved by Eisa, but the follow-up evaded the Al-Ain keeper and went into the goal. The teams headed into the break with a goal apiece.

Watch: United Arab Emirates 1-1 Thailand highlights

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The Whites started the second half strongly, with Mabkhout stinging the hands of Thai goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen with a powerful shot at the end of a counter-attack. The hosts kept the ball for major periods in the second half, but failed to produce any threatening attacks. Striker and captain Teerasil Dangda came closest for the Thais, when his header from close range went over the bar. The match came to a conclusion with no change in the scoreline after the break.

It was a case of so near yet so far for India, as they bowed out of the 2019 Asian Cup after conceding a late penalty against Bahrain. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates drew against Thailand which meant that both teams qualified as first and second form the group respectively.