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Preview: If Thailand was big, India are faced with a bigger test in hosts United Arab Emirates in the AFC Asian Cup on Thursday, overcoming whom will require them to play out of their skins. Four days after creating a flutter with a stunning 4-1 drubbing of Thailand, India are now looking an upbeat lot in the continental showpiece. While the result against Thailand, who have three J-League players in their ranks, was no mean feat, it will be a bigger achievement if the Indians are able to put it across the hosts who are gunning for the title. Currently ranked 79th to India’s 97th, the United Arab Emirates were placed as high as 24 in the FIFA chart in January 2015. Coach Stephen Constantine will be pleased with how the second half against Thailand turned out. India not only managed to shut down a lethal Thai attack after being tied 1-1 at the break, but also threatened at the other end through quick transitions in attack. That stupendous show earned India three valuable points, a place on top of the group and a goal average of plus three. “We have a very young side here and they are excited. Of course, hosts UAE will be a different game. They are a very good side but they are just another team standing in our way,” said Constantine. As far as the Indian team is concerned, Sunil Chhetri hogs the limelight wherever he goes, and the Blue Tigers will again look up to him upfront. It will not exactly be appropriate to say that Chhetri will be high on confidence after his double strikes against Thailand, which saw him go past Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in the goal-scoring chart among active international players, because that is an ingredient the Indian talisman never lacked. He is never overconfident, though. In a team sport like football, a squad heavily dependent on Chhetri would not have experienced a 13-match unbeaten run on way to qualifying for the tournament. Over reliance on the 34-year-old striker would not have seen them maul Thailand the way the did. And that is a good sign for Constantine’s team, which will enhance its prospects of qualifying for the second round of the tournament for the first time in over 50 years if it is able to win or at least draw against the UAE. It is even better for the team that for all his achievements over the years, Chhetri remains grounded. Minutes after coming off the bench against Thailand, Jeje Lalpekhlua found the back of the net, and so did young Anirudh Thapa. However, the surprise package was rookie forward Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh being the livewire down wide right. Udanta, in fact, set up a couple of goals including the inch-perfect cross from right flank, which Chhetri slammed home for India’s second goal. Chhetri and the FC Pune City winger had their eyes on goal whenever they were on the ball and the direct running of the latter and the technique and finishing prowess of the former left the opposition’s defence helpless. More of the could be expected against a superior opponent in UAE. India can expect the UAE to come hard at them after a 1-1 stalemate against Bahrain in the tournament opener. They wouldn’t be satisfied with their performances, especially in the attacking third. It was the late goal by substitute Ahmed Khalil that saved them the blushes. Midfielder Ismail Hammadi is also a key player in UAE’s scheme of things. UAE will look to dominate the midfield where Anirudh Thapa and Pronay Halder will come up against a tightly-knit unit. India will also be required to be vigilant at the back as the likes of Ali Mabkhout and 2015 Asian Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil are goal-scorers with predatory instincts in the attacking third. Mabkhout is seven goals shy of becoming UAE’s all-time top scorer. The central defensive pairing of Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika will be kept busy at the back, and so could be goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. India’s grand opening seem to have also left the UAE football association concerned, which has adopted a unique strategy to fill the stands at the stadium with fans of the home team. It has been reported that the UAE FA has purchased 5,000 tickets for the game against India and plans to distribute it only among the local fans on the match day for free to pack the stands with home support. India will hope to not get carried away by all these, something their coach stressed a day after the win against Thailand. “We don’t go into a match expecting to win 4-1 or 5-1. However, we are not trying to get carried away with the emotion. We still have two games left and we still need another two points to qualify from the group stages,” Constantine had said. “After we have qualified, we can get a little bit excited, but our primary job is still to qualify out of the group stages.” Only time will tell what’s in store. With inputs from PTI
AFC Asian Cup 2019, India vs UAE, Match Highlights: Khaflan Mubarak, Ali Ahmed Mabkhout's goals seal match for hosts
Catch the Live score and updates from the AFC Asian Cup Group A match between India and United Arab Emirates.
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INDIA 0-2 UAE
On a different day, it could’ve been a different story. India should’ve taken their chances in the game. Maybe a 2-2 would’ve been the apt result. Nevertheless, It’s not all over for Stephen Constantine’s team. They need at least a point from Bahrain game to ensure their qualification to the next round.
With this win, UAE now top the group with four points followed by India and Thailand with three points each. It’s a difficult defeat for the team to take but they need to turn it around against Bahrain.
That’s all we have for now. Hope you have enjoyed our coverage. We will be back again for the Bahrain game.
INDIA 0-2 UAE
India go down against the hosts. Stephen Constantine’s side had their moments and very unfortunate not to take a point out of this game. India now have work to do in the final game. They need at least a point to stay alive. Tonight’s performance will give them plenty of encouragement though. After the hysteria of the Thailand, India served a cold, harsh lesson here. India remain second in the group though.
All down to the final day now.
INDIA 0-2 UAE
FULL-TIME! UAE clinch all three points thanks to goals from Ali Ahmed Mabkhout and Khaflan Mubarak. India created chances, but couldn’t convert.
90+3’ INDIA 0-2 UAE
It’s just not India’s day. Rowllin Borger free-kick takes a touch from Jhingan but post comes in the way.
90’ INDIA 0-2 UAE
India run out of steam and UAE take advantage. It’s 2-0. The scoreline reads very harshly on India, but football is harsh sometimes. This is a damaging defeat. India now need at least a point against Bahrain to qualify.
88’ INDIA 0-2 UAE
GOAAL! UAE double their lead. Ali Hassan Salmin with the long ball as Ali Ahmed Mabkhout controls the ball beautifully and slots the ball inside the net. Game over for India?
84’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Six more minutes left in the match. Massive three points for UAE if they manage to hold to their lead. Meanwhile goal-scorer Khaflan Mubarak is being replaced by Ismaeil Matar.
79’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Final change for India. Jackichand Singh replaces Udanta in the wing.
78’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
India seem to have run of steam and perhaps even out of belief. UAE finishing stronger in this game. India need to make sure they don’t concede another. A 1-0 defeat would still leave them in a pretty good position to qualify.
74’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Chance for UAE! Ismail Al Hamadi’s shot from the left side, took a slight deflection and hits the post.
73’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Yellow card for India’s Subhasish Bose for a reckless challenge on Khaflan Mubarak.
70’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Stephen Constantine is making his second change. Rowllin Borges replaces Anirudh Thapa.
68’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Maybe the game is slowing down a bit. UAE not looking to up the ante. Time for Stephen Constantine to make few changes?
63’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Change for UAE. Majed Hassan Ahmad replaces Khamis Esmaeel.
58’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Sunil Chhetri takes the free-kick from a dangerous position, but it’s off target. India on dominating here.
57’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
India on top early in the second half. Unfortunate not to be level already. They must make the most of this spell,
56’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
What a play from India and Udanta Singh’s powerful shot from the right ricochets off the crossbar.
53’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
First good chance for India in the second-half. Jeje effort to the top-corner misses the target. Close!
Meanwhile, first yellow card of the match and it’s shown to India’s Ashique Kuruniyan.
49’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
Confident start from UAE. They are playing the ball with patience. India looking to attack on the counter.
46’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
The second-half is underway at the Zayed Sports City Stadium. One change for India. Jeje replaces Halicharan Narzary.
INDIA 0-1 UAE
India should’ve converted their chances. Three golden ones, but two were saved by the UAE goalkeeper Bilal, and Chhetri missed one. Mubarak’s finish, though, was outstanding. India turned around the match in the second-half against Thailand. Can they do it once again today?
INDIA 0-1 UAE
End of the first half! Khaflan Mubarak’s strike is the difference. India enjoyed quite a few chances, but nothing to show.
45’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
UAE lead! Catastrophic defending from Subhashish Bose and Anas Edathodika. First real attack from the right and India concede.
43’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
WHAT A CHANCE FOR CHHETRI! He does well to get past his defender, but his shot is inches wide from the net.
41’ INDIA 0-1 UAE
GOAAL! The hosts take crucial lead. Ali Ahmed Mabkhout collects a long ball, passes it to the sprinting Khaflan Mubarak, who beats Gurpreet with a solid finish.
39’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Corner for UAE. Bandar Mohammed collects the ball on the far side and hits it, only for him to side-net it.
35’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
UAE are dominating the possession, but they have created very little. Indian defenders are doing a good work here. 10 minutes to half-time, both teams will look not to concede now.
30’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
The hosts need to get a grip. They are in danger of going behind a goal, if not for the goalkeeper, they would’ve been down by a goal or two. Need to handle the pressing from India.
26’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Little mishap from Pritam as he fails to clear the ball away from danger but Gurpreet Singh comes to the rescue. The Indian goalkeeper ins furious with his defenders.
23’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Another golden chance! Goodness! Anirudh Thapa’s brilliant ball meets Chhetri’s header, but the UAE goalkeeper pulls off another beauty.
18’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
The average position of the two teams so far. Only one UAE player has his average position in the Indian half. Good start from India, perhaps should have been in the front.
14’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with some massive goal kicks. The UAE defence struggling to pick up the Indian runners and that has caused them a some concern. Good response from India after the exchanges
As I type Ashique’s effort is tipped over by the UAE goalkeeper. Great pressing once again from India. UAE, like Thailand, are struggling to cope.
12’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
WHAT A CHANCE FOR INDIA! Chhetri releases Ashique, who runs past his marker, and has only the goalkeeper to beat. But the UAE shot-stopper pulls off a good save to deny India.
11’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Smart from Ashique who tries to slot the ball inside the net from 25 yards out. Nothing threatening for the UAE goalkeeper.
9’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Chance for Sandesh Jhingan from a corner. But his header is off the target. Should’ve done better as he does well to overcome his marker in the box.
8’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
First real burst from the Indians. Good work from Pritam and Udanta on the right. And now they have their first corner.
4’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Nervous start from India. UAE have picked up the initiative straight away. The hosts have already managed to get behind India twice. However, off the field the Indians are winning the contest in the stands. Easily the louder of the two sides
3’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Good move from UAE on the right, but Indian defence did well to clear the ball away from danger. Positive start from the hosts.
1’ INDIA 0-0 UAE
Alright then. We are done with the national anthems and it’s kick-off at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.