UAE’s Ali Mabkhout claims Top Goal Scorer Award
Sydney (IraqiNews.com) United Arab Emirates striker Ali Mabkhout claimed the Top Goal Scorer Award presented by Konica Minolta at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 after the Al Jazira front man netted five goals in six games for the third place finishers.
Mabkhout, 24, netted the second half winner from the penalty spot on Friday at Newcastle Stadium as the UAE claimed third place with a thrilling 3-2 win over 2007 champions Iraq.
And with Australia’s Tim Cahill unable to add to his three goal tally in Saturday’s final against Korea Republic, which the Socceroos won 2-1 after extra-time at Stadium Australia, Mabkhout finished one goal clear of team-mate Ahmed Khalil and Jordan’s Hamza Al Dardour at the top of the table.
“I am very happy for Ali Mabkhout to score the fifth goal and to be one of the top scorers for the Asian Cup,” said Khalil after scoring twice in Friday’s win over Iraq.
“Ali deserved to be nominated as one of the top scorers in this competition and I am very happy for him, he deserves it.”
Mabkhout opened his account with two goals as the UAE began their campaign with a 4-1 win over Gulf Cup champions Qatar before also finding the net as Mahdi Ali’s side edged out Bahrain 2-1 to claim a second win in Group C.
He was unable to find the target as Group C winners Iran edged out the UAE 1-0 at the end of the group stage.
Mabkhout, though, crucially returned to the score-sheet with the early opener as the UAE eventually edged out defending champions Japan on penalties in their quarter-final following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Ali’s side did lose their semi-final 2-0 to eventual champions Australia, but with Mabkhout converting from the penalty spot just before the hour mark on Friday after Khalil had earlier scored twice, the UAE secured their second-best finish in the AFC Asian Cup having previously reached the 1996 final on home soil and semi-finals in 1992.
“Ali Mabkhout performed very well in this tournament and scored many nice goals,” said UAE coach Ali following the win over Iraq.
“He deserves to be top scorer in the competition.”
Australia’s Cahill, Japan’s Keisuke Honda, Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al Sahlawi, Korea Republic’s Son Heung-min – who scored the dramatic stoppage time equalizer in Saturday’s final – and China’s Sun Ke finished tied for fourth with three goals each. /End/