Clinical UAE obliterate Qatar in WC qualifier to boost hopes

Fabio Lima scored four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as the UAE handed AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar a 5-0 defeat in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to consolidate their hold on third place in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26.

Lima put Paulo Bento’s side ahead in the fourth minute before doubling the lead from the spot in the 45th minute and completed his hat-trick in the fifth minute of first half injury time with a stellar free-kick.

He hit the fourth from the penalty spot in the 56th minute while Yahya Al Ghassani scored the UAE’s fifth with 17 minutes remaining.

Victory moves the Emiratis onto 10 points from six games, three points behind second placed Uzbekistan and a further three points adrift of leaders the Islamic Republic of Iran in the battle for the two automatic berths at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar, meanwhile, remain in fourth on seven points having failed to build on their last-gasp win over Uzbekistan in Doha last week, which looked to have revitalised the nation’s qualifying bid.

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The home side made the perfect start, Al Ghassani powering down the left side in the fourth minute before delivering a low centre into the feet of Lima that the forward gladly swept in with a first-time finish.

Boualem Khouki blasted his free-kick over the bar as Qatar chased the equaliser while Mohammed Waad went even closer, the midfielder hitting the post when his shot beat Khalid Eisa having been played in behind the defence following a surging run by Akram The woodwork was hit at the other end when Al Ghassani stepped onto his right foot to send a curling shot towards Meshaal Barsham’s goal, the ball not dipping quite enough to avoid smashing against the crossbar in the 32nd minute.

With three minutes left in the half Bruno Oliveira was denied a second when he drove through the Qatar defence, Barsham saving that effort but, from the rebound, Harib Abdalla was brought down by Lucas Mendes and referee Khalid Al Turais pointed to the spot.

Lima calmly converted, sending Barsham the wrong way with his penalty. There was more to come from the Brazil-born playmaker before the end of the half. After Abdalla had been brought down 30 yards from goal, Lima bent a vicious left-foot strike up and over the defensive wall that left Barsham groping at air.

Matters went from bad to worse for Qatar when Barsham brought down Al Ghassani soon after the interval and Lima stepped up again to fire emphatically past the visiting goalkeeper.

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Ahmed Fathy hit the crossbar as Qatar sought a consolation but it was at the other end that the next goal came as Al Ghassani capped a fine performance when he slid the ball past Barsham at the end of a counterattack for the fifth.

UAE will aim to continue their resurgence when they meet group leaders Islamic Republic of Iran in March while Qatar will be desperate for a win against DPR Korea.

Earlier, Indonesia produced a tremendous performance to stun Saudi Arabia 2-0 as they revived their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group C campaign at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia survived a scare in the first minute when Indonesia’s Ivar Jenner sent a well-timed through ball for Marselino, who squeezed his shot past Saudi Arabia keeper Ahmed Al Kassar, only to be denied by the right post.

Indonesia almost found a way through in the fifth minute with Rizky Ridho sending a long ball through for Ragnar Oratmangoen, whose effort from inside the six-yard-box was blocked by Hassan Tambakti.

The danger was far from over as Sandy Walsh picked up the loose ball, forcing Al Kassar to parry away his dangerous cross with the ball landing nicely for Oratmangoen, who saw his effort blocked, while Marselino pulled his effort wide.

The visitors continued to live dangerously as they were caught out by another Indonesia through ball three minutes later with Thom Haye sending Rafael Struick through on goal before the Brisbane Roar midfielder’s grounded attempt was parried away by the onrushing Al Kassar.

Indonesia kept the pressure on Al Kassar with Justin Hubner sending his glancing header off target as Saudi Arabia struggled to muster clear cut chances with Marwan Al Sahafi sending his effort high in the 19th minute, while Mohammed Al Qahtani saw his effort from inside the box blocked.