ZUL-QA’ADAH 8 1430 A.H.
TUESDAY OCTOBER . 27 2009.
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UAE thrash 9 man Malawi 2-0
By SADIQ ABDULLATEEF & ABDULLAHI D. ABDULLAHI
The United Arab Emirates produced an excellent performance to defeat nine man Malawi 2-0 in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Championship 2009, in Kano , yesterday.
The first half was totally dominated by the Africans, but they failed to capitalize on the many chances that came their way. In the second half however, the trend of the match turned in favour of the UAE team during which they scored two quick goals that demoralized the Malawians.
Marwan Al Saffar, the United Arab Emirates Captain pulled a hard drive from 30 yards to beat the Malawian goalkeeper, Jailos Kapalamula at the close angle in the 63rd minute.
Though Tonny Chitsulo of Malawi was denied a goal by the post in the 67th minute, the Malawian woes were compounded in the 80th minute when their goalkeeper Kapalamula was punished for coming out of his post with a long drive from striker Muhammad Sebil from 45 yards in the 80th minute.
The Malawian players were the better entertaining side of the two with Bruno Milanzi and Tonny Chitsulo dazzling the spectators with their dribbling skills all over the pitch, but the sending up of their two players, Lufeyo Kondwani and Gastin Simkonda in the 67th and 92nd minutes respectively compounded their problems.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, the Malawian Coach, John Kaputa admitted that they played really well and created many scoring chances but it was sad the players couldn’t put the ball at the back of the net.
"It is a learning process for us, playing at a world cup championship for the first time since independence even at the senior level. So I think now that the game is over, we will amend our mistakes and then move forward. The game against United States on October 29th will be a totally different outing", he added.
"I am not a referee assessor but I think the referee in the next game should maintain the highest height of professionalism and not be biased. But take my point please, I am not saying the referee favours any of the teams in the game", he said when answering a question on the two red cards received by his players.
On his part, the coach of the United Arab Emirates , Ali Ibrahim said, the game was a balanced game before the first goal, describing Malawi as a very good team with lots of talented players who gave his defence lots of problem, but it’s good his team took their chances when they came. And the win was a good beginning that can give them the chance to move to the next round if they have another good game against Spain .
"I am pleased with the organization of the competition from Nigeria and Kano specifically, the people here are known to have an immeasurable love for football and we saw that here today, overall I think everything here is alright, no complaints whatsoever. We had a good game with an excellent officiating and against a very good side", he concluded.
