Coach Paulo Bento defeated Qatar, which won the Asian Cup for the second time in a row.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by Bento, beat Qatar 5-0 in the sixth Group A match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE on November 20.
The UAE was a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bruno stood in front. Yahya Al-Gasani and Harib Abdallah Suhail were responsible for the left and right attacks, and Fabiou Lima was the central attacking midfielder. Majid Rashid and Yahia Nader formed the midfield, while Marcus and Khaled Ibrahim stepped up as left and right fullbacks. Khalifa Al-Hammadi, Coame Coadio worked as a central defender. The goal was guarded by Khalid Issa.
It was an overwhelming match for the UAE.
UAE scored the first goal in the fourth minute of the first half. Lima took Al-Gasani’s pass and opened the scoring.
Lima’s performance began at this point. Lima completed the hat trick by scoring two more goals, including a penalty, in the first half’s extra time alone.
Lima scored for the fourth time in the 11th minute of the second half as another penalty kicker.
In the 28th minute of the second half, the UAE added an additional goal from Al-Gasani to end the 5-0 victory.
It was a perfect victory over Qatar, which has won two consecutive tournaments since the 2019 Asian Cup.
The UAE also won 3-1 away to Qatar on September 6.
Bento won both of his showdowns with Qatar.
The UAE has three wins, one draw and two losses (10 points) in six Group A matches in the third qualifying round.
The UAE is in third place among six Group A countries, trailing Uzbekistan by three points.
In the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup, the first and second places in each group will win the ticket to the finals. The third and fourth places will go to the fourth qualifying round to decide whether they will advance to the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup finals.
The 1990 World Cup in Italy is the only time the UAE has made it to the World Cup finals.
The UAE finished the tournament by losing all three of its group matches in the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy.
The UAE is on its way to its first finals since the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
[Lee Geunseung, MK Sports Reporter]
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