UAE maintain 100 per cent record at Fifa Arab Cup with last-gasp winner against Mauritania

The UAE made it two wins from two at the beginning of the Fifa Arab Cup with a late, late 1-0 victory against Mauritania in Qatar on Friday night.

The national team, who opened their Group B account last Tuesday with a 2-1 triumph against Syria, had to rely on substitute Khalil Ibrahim’s injury-time header at Stadium 974 in Doha to seal the points.

The UAE had earlier had a brilliant overhead-kick goal from Ali Saleh disallowed on 70 minutes for a marginal offside - replays appeared inconclusive - while Mauritania goalkeeper Mbacke Ndiaye was named man of the match for a fine display in repelling the UAE attack.

At the other end, Bert van Marwijk’s men very nearly conceded in the 88th minute, only for defender Mohammed Al Attas to clear the ball to prevent what seemed a certain goal.

The win keeps the UAE on track for the quarter-finals, moving them top of the group after Tunisia lost 2-0 to Syria, also on Friday. The UAE round off their pool against Tunisia at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Monday. Meanwhile, Syria take on Mauritania at the same time in Al Wakrah having breathed fresh hope into their chances of qualification. Although third, they sit level on three points with second-placed Tunisia.

The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the last eight, which is played December 10 and 11.

Elsewhere, Qatar became the first team to book a spot in the quarter-finals with an even-later victory against Oman in Al Rayyan. The tournament hosts, the reigning Asian champions, needed a 97th-minute own goal from Issam Al Sabhi to seal a 2-1 win and secure progression.

With a 100 per cent record, Qatar top Group A by four points from second-placed Iraq. Iraq were held to a goalless draw on Friday by Bahrain.

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

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