Salem goal seals win for UAE

Juma Rabea's side beat Egypt 1-0 in their first match of a four-team UAE International U19 friendly tournament.

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AL AIN // The UAE youth team's preparations for their defence of the Under 19 Asia Cup in China later this year got off to a winning start last night. Juma Rabea's side beat Egypt 1-0 at the Tahnoun bin Moh-ammed Stadium in their first match of a four-team UAE International U19 friendly tournament. Salem Saleh headed in a dipping free-kick in the ninth minute to give the UAE the lead which they preserved until the final whistle. But the margin should have been bigger as several first-half chances were wasted by the home side.

They could have doubled the lead four minutes after going ahead, but Younus Ahmed's effort from inside the box was foiled by Mohammed Hussain, the Egyptian goalkeeper. Egypt had just one noteworthy chance in the first half, but Abdulaziz Mohamed's effort from inside the box was well wide. They were unlucky when a shot from Mohamed Salah crashed against the crossbar 10 minutes from time as they threatened to punish the UAE for missing so many early opportunities as they went all out in attack in search of an equaliser.

Both teams were left with 10 players on the pitch at the end of the game. Ahmed Toufeeq was the first to receive his marching orders for his second booking in the 65th minute and the UAE's Khalid Mubarak received a straight red card for a foul seven minutes from time. The UAE will face Germany and Egypt play South Korea in their second round of games on Saturday. @Email:apassela@thenational.ae