The 1990 World Cup was a tough challenge for the amateurs from the UAE. They lost all three of their games in a difficult group, but returned from Italy with their heads held high. Colombia 2, UAE 0 June 9, 1990 The Emirates' opening game marked the first time the Whites had played South American opposition. They approached the match with confidence, despite having conceded 13 goals in their previous three friendlies, and held their own for much of the first half.
Colombia threatened but failed to break the deadlock until a powerful header from Bernardo Redin opened the scoring five minutes into the second half. As the UAE pushed for an equaliser, they were being caught farther and farther up the field and were always going to be susceptible to a sweeping counter attack. That is exactly what happened with just five minutes remaining. Carlos Valderrama, the brilliant, big-haired Colombia captain, drove down the left before cutting inside and smashing a drive past Muhsin Musabah in the UAE goal.
West Germany 5, UAE 1 June 15, 1990 West Germany were favourites to win their third World Cup and they started their campaign in splendid form, beating Yugoslavia 4-1. When the UAE arrived at Milan's San Siro, few people gave them any hope, but for much of the first half, the Germans struggling to find the cutting edge. With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, however, Rudi Voller directed a low cross into the net and a minute later, Jurgen Klinsmann rose majestically to double the lead with a header.
The Emirates returned after the interval looking for a goal. A long, hopeful punt from Yousuf Hussain ran through to Khalid Ismail, who held his nerve and smashed a vicious left-footed drive past Bodo Illgner to net the UAE's first goal in a World Cup. But just when a shock looked a possibility, the Germans upped the tempo. Lothar Matthaus struck back instantly, before Uwe Bein made it four. Voller, with 15 minutes to go, headed home from a corner for an emphatic 5-1 victory.
Yugoslavia 4, UAE 1 June 19, 1990 Yugoslavia needed a victory to ensure their progression and two goals in the first 10 minutes helped calm any nerves. Safet Susic powered home a header in the fifth minute to score the fastest goal of the tournament, before Darko Pancev rattled home a right-footed drive four minutes later. Pancev's strike was the second-fastest goal of the tournament. The UAE, to their credit, refused to lie down and in the 22nd minute Ali Thani Jumaa rose sublimely to head past Tomislav Ivkovic and give the Whites a lifeline. But, with almost the first attack after the restart, Pancev again found space in the Emirates' penalty area and powerfully volleyed home to lock up the win. And there was time for a fourth, which came when Robert Prosinecki lobbed over Musabah.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae