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UAE beats Thailand 3-1 in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Xinhua, October 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

In the Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifying matches, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) won here Thursday night against Thailand with Emirati forward Ali Makhbout scoring two goals in the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium.

With its victory, the Gulf Arab state increased its chances to play the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as the UAE secured six points out of three matches, reaching temporarily the second position in the Group B.

After the UAE left a mediocre first half 1-0, action in the second half increased when Makhbout from Al Jazira Club, Abu Dhabi, scored his second goal in the 47th minute.

Thailand's Tana Chanabut scored for the guests in the 65th minute. But the Emirati spirit never flagged and forward Ahmed Khalil (Al-Ahli Club) secured the hosts' victory with a last-minute goal in the 93rd minute.

Hundreds of Thai fans flied from Bangkok to the UAE capital to support the blue-dressed Thai "War Elephants".

The last and only time the UAE participated at a FIFA World Cup was in the year 1990 in Italy. Endit