• The UAE's Omar Abdulrahman, right, and Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul of Thailand. EPA
    The UAE's Omar Abdulrahman, right, and Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul of Thailand. EPA
  • UAE's Tareq Ahmed, right. Reuters
    UAE's Tareq Ahmed, right. Reuters
  • Thailand's Nitipong Selanon clears the ball. EPA
    Thailand's Nitipong Selanon clears the ball. EPA
  • Thailand's Manuel Bihr holds off Ali Saleh of the UAE. Reuters
    Thailand's Manuel Bihr holds off Ali Saleh of the UAE. Reuters
  • UAE's Khalil Ibrahim races away from Theerathon Bunmathan of Thailand. Reuters
    UAE's Khalil Ibrahim races away from Theerathon Bunmathan of Thailand. Reuters
  • UAE's Ali Mabkhout surrounded by Thailand players. Reuters
    UAE's Ali Mabkhout surrounded by Thailand players. Reuters
  • The UAE's Ahmed Barman, left, and Teerasil Dangda of Thailand. Reuters
    The UAE's Ahmed Barman, left, and Teerasil Dangda of Thailand. Reuters
  • Thailand's Teerasil Dangda, second right, scores the opening goal. EPA
    Thailand's Teerasil Dangda, second right, scores the opening goal. EPA
  • Ali Mabkhout of the UAE celebrates after making it 1-1. EPA
    Ali Mabkhout of the UAE celebrates after making it 1-1. EPA
  • Ali Mabkhout of the UAE celebrates with teammates after making it 1-1. EPA
    Ali Mabkhout of the UAE celebrates with teammates after making it 1-1. EPA
  • Thailand's Sarach Yooyen shoots at goal. Reuters
    Thailand's Sarach Yooyen shoots at goal. Reuters
  • UAE's Ali Mabkhout, left, celebrates after making it 1-1. EPA
    UAE's Ali Mabkhout, left, celebrates after making it 1-1. EPA
  • Thailand manager Akira Nishino. Reuters
    Thailand manager Akira Nishino. Reuters
  • UAE's Ali Ahmed Mabkhout heads home. Reuters
    UAE's Ali Ahmed Mabkhout heads home. Reuters
  • Thailand's Eakkanit Punya has his shirt pulled by Mohammed Barqesh of the UAE. Reuters
    Thailand's Eakkanit Punya has his shirt pulled by Mohammed Barqesh of the UAE. Reuters
  • Thailand's Teerasil Dangda celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal. EPA
    Thailand's Teerasil Dangda celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal. EPA
  • Thailand's Eakkanit Punya celebrates with manager Akira Nishino after scoring their second goal . Reuters
    Thailand's Eakkanit Punya celebrates with manager Akira Nishino after scoring their second goal . Reuters

UAE's 2022 World Cup qualification bid resumes on October 8


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Dates for the remaining fixtures of UAE's 2022 World Cup qualifiers were confirmed on Friday with four matches scheduled in October and November.

The matches were set to take place in March and June but had to be delayed due to coronavirus pandemic.

According to the new dates, the UAE will host Malaysia on October 8, before travelling to Indonesia for their match on October 13.

The UAE then host Thailand on November 12 and Vietnam on November 17. Venues for the UAE's home matches are yet to be decided.

The news should allow the team to sharpen their focus after they recently lost the services of manager Ivan Jovanovic.

The Football Association parted ways with the Serbian in April, even though he had not taken charge of the first team for a match.

The FA has drawn up a shortlist of four managers for the vacant post, with a decision expected to be taken next week. Spain's Under-21 manager, Luis de la Fuente, has been considered.

Jovanovic, 57, was appointed as Bert van Marwijk’s successor in December and tasked with guiding the national team through to the third round of qualification for the 2022 World Cup. His tenure lasted 106 days.

The UAE sit five points off leaders Vietnam in Group G, although they have played a game less than their rivals.