For Bahrain, it was crucial that they didn't lose today. That would make them the third team to exit the group stage with one more round of games left to go. For the United Arab Emirates, it was an opportunity to lock down a spot in the Quarterfinals. These two Persian Gulf nations have played each other many times, just not all with so much on the line. Bahrain would get possession first, play it back to their defense, have it stolen away, when a lobbed pass would find UAE's Ali Mabkhout who would beat the keeper. All this in well under a minute gave Mabkhout the record of fastest goal scored in an Asian Cup game. Bahrain kept their heads in the game, and after a second UAE goal was denied by the woodwork, the Reds were able to tie the game off of a corner kick that Jaycee Okwunwanne would head in at the 26 minute mark. The score was tied at halftime, and would have stayed the way for the rest of the game were it not for the curious case of Mohamed Hasan. The Emirates would set up a free kick, and fire it away when the ball would find Hasan's head, and the back of the net. The problem with this is that Hasan is a Bahraini defender who knocked the ball into his own goal. It just wasn't Bahrain's day. Literally, the sun was shine, there wasn't a Bahrain drop in the sky.
Bahrain 1:2 United Arab Emirates
IoannesNix: Bahrain 1:0 United Arab Emirates
Artifex: Bahrain 3:1 United Arab Emirates
Scriptor: Bahrain 1:2 United Arab Emirates **
Quaesitor: Bahrain 2:0 United Arab Emirates
Praeceptor: Bahrain 0:1 United Arab Emirates
Iran have dominated Qatar over the years that the two sides have been playing against one another. 11 victories to 3 defeats with 5 draws meant that Iran were looking to win big and top the group. For Qatar, this was a chance to give themselves some life, but anything other than a victory would mean an early exit. Iran almost struck first when an outward swinging cornerkick would be headed toward goal, but Qatari defender Ahmed El Sayed would head it away. Ashkan Dejagah would then try his luck, but would kick wide left of Qatar's goal. An inswinging corner in the second half would also go wide left. It just looked like Iran was never going to score, like Qatar might earn the draw, or possibly even snatch a victory. But that's when Iran would show some skill. Stealing the ball, Iran would center it to the feet of Sardar Azmoun who would pull off a nifty spin, and beat the keeper one on one with the ball. That 52nd minute strike would be the difference, proving for the 12th time that Iran are the better the side. A spot in the Quarterfinals awaits the Persians, but with just 3 goals from 2 games, one has to wonder if they have the goods to win it all.
Qatar 0:1 Iran
IoannesNix: Qatar 1:1 Iran
Artifex: Qatar 2:2 Iran
Scriptor: Qatar 1:3 Iran
Quaesitor: Qatar 4:1 Iran
Praeceptor: Qatar 1:0 Iran
Yesterday's Bonus Bonanza point falls to Praeceptor. It was a funny answer, but provided many accurate details about Scriptor as well. He does like Redheads, Pizza, and one of those not liking the other is a definite deal breaker.
STANDINGS:
15/5
13/2
12/3
7/3 YC
6/2 YC
Just three points separate the top three players. Praeceptor has come on strong and made the jump to Fourth. But Fate has a way of making everything fickle. Today sees Group D play out their second matches, after which we will be into the final four days of the first round. Group Bonus points are up for grabs, so keep an eye out for those standings.
The Grand Salmon Alpaca
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