Excitement is continuing to build across the country as the UAE National Team beat Australia 1-0 in Al Ain to reach the semi finals of the Asian Cup 2019.
Going into the quarter final as the underdogs against the defending champions, this tight game between the two nations was ultimately decided on the 68th minute when the UAE’s Ali Mabkhout took advantage of a defensive error to slot the ball into the Socceroos net. Both teams had chances earlier on in the game, with the UAE close to scoring just before the stroke of half time, and Australia having a goal disallowed for offside 15 minutes into the second half.
At 1-0 up the UAE defended strongly, and with an enthusiastic crowd at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium cheering them on, they held on to reach the last four and now face Qatar on Tuesday night in Abu Dhabi. A win on Tuesday night will see the UAE reach only their second ever Asian Cup Final.