UAE stopped by Venezuela, Bahrain defeat Myanmar

Kuala Lumpur: Early goals in each half saw the United Arab Emirates falling to a 2-0 defeat against Venezuela while Bahrain defeated Myanmar 4-1 as two of the teams in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 continued their preparations on Tuesday for the continental showpiece.

UAE 0-2 VENEZUELA

Having played to a 1-1 draw with Honduras on Thursday, AFC Asian Cup 2019 hosts UAE were looking to test themselves against Venezuela, ranked 45 places higher than them, in their international friendly at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain.

However, Alberto Zaccheroni’s side found themselves chasing the match from the first minute as defender Luis del Pino Mago gave Venezuela the lead off an assist by Romulo Otero.

UAE had a chance to get themselves level when they were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute but Omar Abdulrahman failed to convert.

Hopes of a revival were dashed just two minutes into the second half when Andres Ponce doubled Venezuela's lead.

This was the UAE's third of five camps in the build-up to the AFC Asian Cup after a tour of Salzburg, Austria in August and Girona, Spain in September. UAE will also have two domestic camps on November 6-20 and December 15-31 ahead of their Group A challenge against Thailand, India and Bahrain.

BAHRAIN 4-1 MYANMAR

Riffa: Bahrain defeated Myanmar 4-1 at the Bahrain National Stadium as they look ahead to their challenge in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on January 5-February 1.

The win over Myanmar comes as a boost after Bahrain lost 1-0 to Syria on Friday.

Myanmar, on the other hand, are preparing for the 2018 AFF Cup where they are drawn in Group A with Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos.

Photos: AFP

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