UAE vs Malaysia World Cup Qualifier
UAE – Wins the Match
Needing a win to keep their slender World Cup qualification ambitions alive, the UAE enjoyed the benefits of a brilliant performance from the prolific Ali Mabkhout and the scintillating Fabio Lima, putting Malaysia to the sword with a sweeping 4-0 win at the Zabeel Stadium on Thursday.
Thailand missed out on an opportunity to cement their position in the points table after a 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Indonesia in the other match of the night in Dubai, allowing the UAE to move up to the second place with nine points. The Whites, Malaysia, and Thailand have all gained nine points, but Bert van Marwijk’s side is currently second behind leaders Vietnam, thanks to their superior goalkeeping.
In UAE vs Malaysia world cup qualifier, Ali Mabkhout and Fabio Lima scored two goals to boost the UAE’s chances of progressing to the next round of World Cup qualifiers. It was also a memorable night for Ali Mabkhout, who increased his goal tally to 73, surpassing the incomparable Lionel Messi and Indian captain Sunil Chhetri to become the second-best active goal-scorer in international football.
Among active players, only Cristiano Ronaldo (103) has scored more goals on the international stage than Ali Mabkhout. After a jittery start, the UAE began to establish control of the midfield, and the host team scored their first goal in the eighth minute.
Khalfan Mubarak Al Rezzy’s lovely pass found Khalil Ibrahim Al Hammadi inside the box after a significant build-up in the final third. Still, the Al Wahda midfielder’s right-footer was denied by Malaysian goalkeeper Farizal Marlia. That incisive move did not result in a goal, but it galvanized The Whites to up their game.
In the 19th minute, Abdalla Ramadan played a long ball to Ali Mabkhout, and Van Marwijk’s squad was rewarded. While losing his marker, the striker controlled the ball with an exquisite first touch before chipping the ball over the advancing goalie into the back of the net.
The home team’s midfield dominance allowed their right flank to send those enticing crosses, but the final touch let the team down in the box. If the UAE finished the first half strongly, they began the second half even more robust, as their passing range drove the Malaysians ragged.
In pursuit of that second goal, the UAE pounced on the Malaysian defence in waves, leaving the South-East Asian team empty of ideas in the face of Van Marwijk’s men’s unrelenting assault.
Ali Mabkhout had another chance in the 62nd minute. The attacker found some space inside the box with superb footwork but could not locate the target from a tight angle.
Ali Mabkhout was back in action three minutes later when his persistent running and fantastic skills released Khalil Ibrahim Al Hammadi Caio, whose cross found Fabio Lima, only for the latter to volley the ball harmlessly over the crossbar. In the 78th minute, Khalil Ibrahim Al Hammadi Caio’s effort from within the box was diverted by a Malaysian defender and deflected for a corner.
Ali Mabkhout then displayed rare indecision after beating the off-side trap, losing a fantastic one-on-one opportunity against the Malaysian goalie. After yet another brilliant play from the park’s middle, Fabio Lima scored in the 83rd minute with a beautiful curling left-footer from a tight angle.
The UAE then inflicted two more severe blows on their opponents, with Ali Mabkhout’s fierce right-footer reaching the back of the goal in the 91st minute before Fabio Lima scored his second of the night with a straightforward finish from within the box after a spectacular run of passing.
UAE vs Malaysia world cup qualifier Results
Malaysia was defeated 4-0 and may have conceded more goals except for some excellent goalkeeping by Farizal Marlies.
However, the four-goal setback was far better than the Malaysian team’s previous visit to the UAE for a World Cup qualifier. The Whites’ 10-0 thrashing in 2016 was the darkest day in Malaysian football.
The UAE ranked World No. 73 in a different league than Malaysia, which ranked World No. 153. So, contrary to popular belief, the FIFA rankings are not a true reflection of the game.
UAE was simply the superior squad in terms of skill and tactics. It’s as simple as that.
Malaysia fell to fourth place from second place in Group G as a result of the defeat, while the UAE rose to second place.
The United Arab Emirates ‘deserves to qualify for the World Cup’- Ali.
The UAE is not putting Australia on a pedestal ahead of its UAE vs Malaysia world cup qualifier, thinking they are deserving of a spot in the 2018 tournament. The two countries square off in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night (Wednesday am AEST) in a meeting of early Asian pacesetters en route to Russia.
The UAE earned a surprising 2-1 away-day win against Japan. Still, it remained firm underdogs in this match, a position underlined by Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, who stated that Australia would be “a little afraid” of the Asian champions.
On Monday, UAE President Mahdi Ali refused to respond to the accusation. “This is his opinion, which I respect… “However, the UAE has a long history with this group,” he explained.
“We’ve worked hard for a long time to develop an identity for this team, and I believe we now have one.” We know what we need from the game tomorrow, and we’ll see how it goes, Inshallah.”
The Gulf nation captured the attention of the footballing globe with their victory in Tokyo, and Ali stated that he believes they will defeat Australia and Japan for one of the two World Cup spots available from the six-team group.
“Our first World Cup qualification was in 1990 [and] the UAE has been working very hard since that date to qualify for the second time,” he remarked. “We have a perfect chance this time and a very excellent team.” “I believe the United Arab Emirates deserves to qualify for the World Cup.”
He dismissed ideas that the oppressive heat would benefit the home team. “That’s not an advantage; the weather will benefit both teams,” he explained.
“The crew is extremely well prepared.” Whoever wants to win and is willing to battle in the game will triumph in the end.”
