Jordan have become the latest nation to book a berth in the FIFA Arab Cup™ semi-finals as they edged Iraq 1-0. Ali Olwan’s first-half penalty proved the difference in front of 40,000 fans in Al Rayyan as he maintained a remarkable record of scoring from the spot in each of Jordan’s four matches at the tournament.
Later in the evening, Algeria completed the final four line-up when they defeated defending champions Algeria 7-6 in a sudden-death penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw during regulation in front of a capacity crowd in Al Khor.
Jordan 1-0 Iraq
Jordan goal: Ali Olwan pen (41)
Player of the Match: Yazeed Abulaila (Jordan)
Two years ago Jordan and Iraq clashed at the start of the knockout stage at a major tournament in Qatar, as the Nashama edged the Lions of Mesopotamia in the Round of 16 at the Asian Cup.
This time, and also in Al Rayyan, it was Jordan once again that won by a single goal as Ali Olwan extended his remarkable run of scoring from the spot in four straight matches.
That goal came late in an opening term that produced almost no other chances of note, despite Jordan having the better of the play, although they did lose star forward Yazan Al Naimat to an early knee injury.
After the break, Iraq’s talisman Ali Jasim started to see far more of the ball and his team looked far better for it. Twice the dazzling winger came close midway through the half, the first a rasping effort from distance and the second a driven shot; both producing smart saves from Yazeed Abulaila.
Jordan’s Mohannad Abu Taha has already scored one spectacular long-range effort at the tournament and came close to producing another late on as Jordan saw out the narrow win to book a last four date with Saudi Arabia.
Algeria 1-1 United Arab Emirates (6-7 PSO)
Algeria goal: Adil Boulbina (46)
United Arab Emirates goal: Bruno (64)
Player of the Match: Hamad Almeqbaali (United Arab Emirates)
Richard Akonnor proved the hero as the United Arab Emirates ended Algeria’s reign as FIFA Arab Cup champions and set up a mouthwatering semi-final with Morocco after holding their nerve in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
In an opening half they dominated, Algeria twice put the ball into the net but on both occasions the efforts were ruled out by the officials. The Fennecs needed just 50 seconds to open the deadlock after the break, though, when a powerful strike from Yacine Brahimi rebounded back into the path of Adil Boulbina who struck home in style.
UAE had struggled to make much of an impact in the game but they soon equalised when Bruno converted an inswinging left-wing cross from dangerman Yahya Al Ghassani from close range.
Algeria pushed hard for a late winner, however it was UAE who almost scored at the end of regulation when a fine header from Lucas Pimenta was well saved by Farid Chaal. In extra time, the sides could not be separated with Brahimi and substitute Zakaria Draoui coming close for Algeria.
The penalty shootout went to sudden death and, after UAE stopper Hamad Almeqbaali saved Mohamed Khacef’s effort, Akonnor stepped up and sent UAE into the semi-finals with an emphatic effort.
