Today's Edition
AL KHOBAR (Agencies)
Paulo Bento’s United Arab Emirates cruised into the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and in the process sealed a place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ after defeating Yemen 3-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 Group H clash on Tuesday.
With a perfect record of 12 points, UAE are assured of a top two finish in the group while Yemen – with only three points – sit third in the standings behind Bahrain and will need wins in their remaining two matches to keep their progression hopes alive.
UAE put Yemen custodian Aman Khairalah under early pressure, first from Sultan Adil’s attempt from outside the box then Tahnoon Hamdan’s deceiving cross was met by Fabio Lima but the forward was unable to divert the ball towards goal.
Fabio then took centre stage in the 14th minute, the 30-year-old stroking a free-kick with his left foot into the bottom corner with Khairalah far too late to react.
Fired up by the goal, UAE grew in confidence, increasing their lead in the 23rd minute when Bader Nasser’s cross from the left evaded everyone before Fabio arrived at the last moment to sweep home his second.
The Emiratis’ dominance saw them adding a third in the 34th minute with Adil getting on the scoresheet, reacting quickly to finish from close range after his initial shot had been blocked by a defender.
Yemen started the second half in a positive manner, forcing Khalid Eisa into his first proper save with Abdulwasea Al Matari’s powerful shot then the UAE captain recovered swiftly to deny Haidar Khamisi on the follow-up.
However, that was as good as it got for Yemen at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium with Bento comfortable enough to make a triple substitution after the hour mark, affording the opportunity for Fabio, Adil and Yahia Nader to be rested.
When the qualifiers resume in June, UAE are away to Nepal while Yemen have a tough trip to Bahrain.
