Top three goals from 2015 Asian Cup group stage — video

The best three goals from the 2015 Asian Cup group stage.

Ali Mabkhout's, left, goal was not only the fastest in Asian Cup history, it was also one of the finest. Tim Wimborne/Reuters
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The 2015 Asian Cup group stage contained a curious statistic; there was not a single drawn game.

There were, however, some delightful goals.

It’s been difficult to narrow them down, but we’ve picked our top three goals from the group stages.

So, in no particular order...

— Sayed Ahmed: Bahrain v Qatar (January 19)

With the scores level at 1-1, Sayed Ahmed delivers the final blow to Qatar’s Asian Cup campaign with this delightful floating chip that catches goalkeeper Qasem Burhan off his line. A wonderfully weighted shot and exquisite technique. Ronaldinho-esque, some might say. (Sayed’s goal is at 1:52)

Ali Mabkhout: UAE v Bahrain (January 15)

The fastest goal in Asian Cup history is also one of the tournament’s finest. From the kick-off, the UAE quickly dispossess Bahrain as forward Ahmed Khalil lays the ball at the feet of playmaker Omar Abdulrahman. The Al Ain star surveys his options and sees teammate Mabkhout making a diagonal run into the Bahrain box. Abdulrahman checks his pass before clipping the ball over the Bahrain defence and onto the toe of Mabkhout. The Jazira striker’s first-touch is perfect to take the ball away from his marker and the goalkeeper before slotting home with his second. And all after 14 seconds.

— Yaser Kasim: Iraq v Jordan (January 12)

If Sayed’s goal resembled Roanldinho, then Kasim’s effort had a bit of Lionel Messi about it. The midfielder collects the ball on the edge of the Jordan penalty area before slaloming his way past two defenders. A drop of the shoulder sends a third Jordan defender the wrong way to allow Kasim the space to finish. His shot was deflected in but we’ll ignore that given the brilliance of his run. The goal also proved decisive. Iraq won the game 1-0 and put themselves in touching distance of the knockout stages.