A moment of quick thinking by the United Arab Emirates’ goalkeeper, Hamad Al-Maqbali, proved decisive in their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Algeria in the Arab Cup quarter-final. The UAE triumphed 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, sending the reigning champions Algeria crashing out of the tournament.
Social media has been abuzz with a video clip highlighting Al-Maqbali’s astute observation skills. The footage appears to show Algeria’s goalkeeper, Farid Chaâl, consulting a water bottle seemingly marked with information about the UAE players’ preferred penalty-taking directions.
However, Al-Maqbali spotted Chaâl’s strategy and immediately alerted his teammate, Sultan Adil. According to reports, Al-Maqbali instructed Adil to change his intended shot direction. Adil successfully followed the advice, sending his penalty into the opposite corner, effectively outsmarting the Algerian goalkeeper.
Reports indicate that Chaâl then dived towards the corner where Adil was initially expected to shoot, underscoring the effectiveness of Al-Maqbali’s intervention. The UAE goalkeeper celebrated with his teammate, acknowledging their success in disrupting Algeria’s planned approach.
The incident has sparked considerable discussion among football fans, highlighting the level of detail and tactical awareness present even in penalty shootouts. The UAE’s victory, secured through both skill and strategic insight, marks a significant achievement in the Arab Cup.
The Algerian team will be disappointed to exit the competition at this stage, especially after their title win in the previous edition. However, the UAE’s performance, capped by Al-Maqbali’s sharp thinking, has earned them a well-deserved place in the semi-finals.
