Ali Karim ensured the UAE measure of revenge against Egypt as his late free-kick ensured the Huawei Intercontinental Cup hosts a 2-1 win in Saturday’s fifth-place play-off.
A dramatic comeback from Egypt saw them run out 4-3 winners when the two met in the group stage but the UAE had the last laugh on the final day when Ali Karim fired in the winner a minute from time to ensure his side signed off with a win.
Moustafa Shaaban was a key man in Egypt’s group-stage victory – scoring the winning goal a minute from time – and the defender was pivotal early on again for the visitors as he cleared off the line late in a goalless opening period.
The opening stages of the second period passed without a great deal of further goalmouth action as defences remained on top and chances proved few and far between.
Eventually, with 31 seconds on the clock in the second period, Abbas Daryaei broke the deadlock for the hosts with an inch-perfect set-piece into the far corner past Sabah Abdelaziz.
It was a closely contested affair between UAE and Egypt.
Egypt got back on level terms when Shika stole in and made the most of a loose ball at the back to equalise with an exquisite lob into the far corner.
However, Ali Karim’s precise free kick with a minute left on the clock proved the key moment in a tightly contested match as the hosts ensured a creditable fifth-place finish.
Goals: 0-1: Abbas, min. 0 (2); 1-1: Shika, min. 8 (3); 1-2: Ali Karim, min. 1 (3)