Memorable debut for Bauza as UAE beat Laos 4-0

Top Stories

Memorable debut for Bauza as UAE beat Laos 4-0
New UAE coach Edgardo Bauza (KT file)

Dubai - The UAE were leading 2-0 at half time

By KT Report

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Wed 7 Jun 2017, 10:51 PM

Last updated: Thu 8 Jun 2017, 3:51 PM

Two goals from Ali Ahmed Mabkhout and one each from Ahmed Khalil and Tariq Ahmed gave Edgardo Bauza a flying start as UAE national team coach. 
The Whites were simply too good for Laos as they won the international friendly 4-0 at Shah Alam Stadium in Malaysia. The UAE were leading 2-0 at half time with goals from Mabkhout (13th minute) and Khalil (38th minute).
The visitors continued to search for goals in the second half and Mabkhout got his second of the match in the 47th minute. 
Tariq Ahmed then made it 4-0 in the 70th minute in what was a truly memorable UAE debut for former Argentina coach Bauza.
Bauza's men were originally scheduled to play Lebanon in Malaysia, but the match had to be cancelled and Laos agreed to play the friendly game. 
The UAE now will go into their World Cup qualifier against Thailand on June 13 with a positive frame of mind. The UAE are currently occupying the fourth position in Group B of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers with nine points from seven matches. Asian giants Japan and Saudi Arabia are occupying the top two spots with 16 points each. 
Australia, who take on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, are currently in third place with 13 points. 
The top two teams will qualify for the World Cup, while the third-placed team will take on the third-placed team from Group A in a playoff to earn the ticket for the inter-continental playoff.
The UAE have to win all their remaining matches to have any chance of finishing third in the group.  Their final two games in the qualifying campaign will be against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
 


More news from