The eyes of the soccer universe were focused on the United Arab Emirates today, with Iraq playing Qatar in Dubai and the Emiratis hosting Syria in Abu Dhabi. These two matches were the only ones that still mattered for the qualification process for Asia’s fourth round.The two coaches traded some trash talk before the Qatar-Iraq match.
"A draw is not what we are thinking about, although we can go through with a point. We want to take the three points on Sunday and we will do it." -Adnan Hamad of Iraq
"Hopefully, we will have learned from our mistakes and we won't make those mistakes against Iraq. I am confident we will have the last laugh." –Jorge Fossati of Qatar
Qatar visited Iraq in the most important match of the day. It also turned out to be one of the best. Iraq needed just a tie to advance to Round Four, but the visiting Qataris knew a win would send them through. The desperate Qataris drew four of the five yellow cards, but the cards would mean nothing if they failed to progress. A scoreless first half left the fans in Dubai on the edge of their seats. A beautiful cross and a header into the upper right-hand corner of goal gave the Qataris a 1-0 lead that held to the finish. Sadly, one must wonder if Iraq could have done better if their “home” were closer to Iraq instead of closer to Qatar. Regardless, Qatar advance to Round Four and the Iraqis will have to settle for the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Fossati spoke after the huge victory. "We were always confident about beating Iraq because we have had favourable results against them in the past. Many Iraqi players play in the Qatar League so we know their game very well."
"We have nearly secured our qualification, but we must prepare very well for Syria. We can afford no slip-up." –Bruno Metsu, United Arab Emirates coach
Syria visited the United Arab Emirates needing to win by three goals or more or face the chopping block. In such an important game, nothing less than full intensity was to be expected, and the visitors took three yellows to the Emiratis’ two. The crowd was probably a bit unsettled by the Syrians 1-0 lead at halftime, but their second goal six minutes into the next period must have really scared them. At 2-0, the Syrians were just one goal away from pulling of the miracle. A penalty was given with seven minutes remaining, however, and Ismail Matar sent his country into Round Four with a clutch conversion. Syria scored again in stoppage time for a 3-1 win, but United Arab Emirates were the true victors, advancing to the next phase. Valiant Syria are eliminated.
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