Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
A 5-0 demolition job over Qatar from the UAE saw them surge in reputation in the Group A of the Asian qualifying third stage for the World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.
A hat-trick by Fabio de Lima put the result of a potential six-pointer heading one way in the first half itself. A fourth from De Lima, a penalty, soon after the restart put it beyond doubt. And then Yahya Al Ghassani got into the act from the left flank, latching on to a long ball not convincingly but still slotting it past two defenders and the hapless goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham for a fifth goal.
Elsewhere, scrappy victories meant Iran and Uzbekistan maintained their top two positions on the table, meaning UAE's spectacular result counted only as much on paper. The minnows North Korea restricted Uzbekistan to 1-0 while Iran had to sweat past Kyrgyz Republic in a 3-2 scoreline.
Yet, the UAE national team went from dark horses in the group into a strong position psychologically as contenders for the top two spots that carry an automatic berth. It was Qatar who were viewed as joint favourites with Iran to progress through, but the UAE has now won both their games in the home-and-away format of the stage; they won 3-1 in the opening clash in Doha.
UAE move to third with 10 points and a goal difference of eight goals while Qatar are rooted on seven points with a negative seven goal difference. Such was the domination that Marquez Lopez had to pull Qatar's talismanic playmaker Akram Afif back and put the taller players, Almoez and substitute Mohammed Muntari, ahead in the hope for a goal in the second half.
The UAE got off to a dream start with De Lima converting from the first attack for the hosts in the fourth minute of the game, pivoting on his left foot for a first-time response to a cross from close range. With the match heading into the first injury time, Hareb Abdulla was brought down in the box and the left-footed De Lima sent the ball down his nearer side.
Six minutes of added time before the break provided another opportunity when a free-kick was awarded from the 35-metre around mark. De Lima sent in a curling shot for a stunner. After the restart, it was Al Ghassani who was brought down to give De Lima a second successful penalty strike. Al Ghassani also assisted in the first goal.
Despite De Lima's dominance on the scoresheet to win the Player of the Match award, it was a collective effort from Paulo Bento's side.
The defenders gave it their all, putting the bodies behind each move from Qatar; most of them in the first half saw Afif moving in menacingly from the left before predictably crossing to the right under marking pressure to Almoez.
Both forwards were closed down quickly and effectively, though the time Afif sold a dummy to send Mohammad Waad through, the UAE were lucky not to concede. With UAE two goals up, Waad's shot from the left hit the upright and came into play again where it was cleared away.
Bento made four changes to the side that took the field against Kyrgyz Republic with midfielder Majid Rashed, Brazilian forward Bruno and two defenders – Kouame Kouadio and Khalifa Hammadi – lending more flexibility between attack and defence.